R215 – Osteotomy supracondylar
OHIP Radiology Code — MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Osteotomy supracondylar is a surgical procedure listed under the Musculoskeletal System section for femur reconstruction. It involves a planned cut of the femur bone in the area just above the knee joint (supracondylar region) to correct angular or rotational deformities. This procedure, when claimed with suffix A for the surgeon, is paid as a flat fee. When claimed by a surgical assistant (suffix B) or anaesthesiologist (suffix C), payment is calculated based on time and base units. As specified on page of the Schedule, this service has 6 basic units for the assistant (Asst) and 6 basic units for the anaesthesiologist (Anae).
When to Use
- Use R215 for a planned supracondylar femoral osteotomy to correct angular or rotational deformities of the distal femur.
- Select R215 when the procedure is performed as a standalone corrective surgery, distinct from more complex femoral reconstructions like R262.
Common Pitfalls
- Claiming R215 with E420 (Trauma Premium) without explicitly documenting the required Injury Severity Score (ISS) in the patient record, which leads to automatic rejection.
- Incorrectly billing R215 as a primary procedure when it is performed alongside a more major musculoskeletal surgery, as the assistant and anaesthesiologist units must be based on the major procedure only.
- Failing to document specific start and stop times for surgical assistants or anaesthesiologists, which is mandatory for time-based unit calculations.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the surgical assistant and anaesthesiologist use the 6 base units provided for R215 when calculating their total fee, adding these to the time-based units as per the Schedule.
Effective: April 1, 2025
N. Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures
All insured services must be documented in appropriate records establishing that the service was provided, the service claimed is the service rendered, and the service was medically necessary.
For surgical assistant services, time spent is determined by time in direct contact with the patient in the operating room prior to scrub time and time spent assisting at the surgery. If a replacement assistant is used, start and stop times must be documented in the patient's permanent medical record.
For anaesthesia services, time commences when the anaesthesiologist is first in attendance with the patient in the OR to initiate anaesthesia and ends when the anaesthesiologist is no longer in attendance. Start and finish times must be documented in the medical record for replacement anaesthesiologists.
If claiming the trauma premium (E420), the medical record must list the Injury Severity Score (ISS).
Base units for Assistant (suffix B) are 6. Payment is calculated by adding base units and time units, multiplied by the assistant unit fee.
Base units for Anaesthetist (suffix C) are 6. Payment is calculated by adding base units and time units, multiplied by the anaesthesiologist unit fee.
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.