R682 – Wrist arthroscopy setup
OHIP Radiology Code — MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
A surgical procedure for wrist arthroscopy setup. The fee includes the following components when rendered: debridement, synovectomy, synovial biopsy, removal of loose body(ies) and/or screw, drilling of defect or microfracture, and/or wrist ganglion debridement, as detailed on page of the Schedule. The anaesthesia fee (R682C) is calculated with 7 base units plus time units. The surgical assistant fee (R682B) is calculated with 6 base units plus time units. Additional, more complex arthroscopic wrist procedures may be billed separately under specific conditions.
When to Use
- Use R682 as the primary code for diagnostic wrist arthroscopy or simple therapeutic procedures including debridement, synovectomy (under 90 minutes), or removal of loose bodies.
- Use R682 as the base code when performing complex procedures that qualify for add-on codes like E480 (TFCC repair) or E482 (capsular release).
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E478 or E479 when the arthroscopic work is considered a standard component of another primary wrist procedure performed during the same session.
- Attempting to bill E482 and E483 on the same patient on the same day, as these are mutually exclusive per the Schedule.
- Failing to document the specific duration of synovectomy; synovectomy lasting less than 90 minutes is inclusive to R682 and cannot be billed separately.
Billing Tips
- Always append the appropriate E-add-on codes (e.g., E480, E482) to R682 on the same claim to ensure the full scope of the surgical work is captured.
- When performing synovectomy for inflammatory arthritis, ensure the operative report explicitly justifies the 90-minute duration to support the billing of E483.
Effective: April 1, 2025
N. Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures
A wrist procedure listed in the Hand and Wrist section of the Schedule performed arthroscopically is eligible for payment in addition to R682 if that procedure is not described as a component of R682 or described by an E-add-on code to R682.
Arthroscopic E-add-on codes listed below are not eligible for payment in addition to R682 when the service described by the E-code is a generally accepted component of a procedure described in Note #1.
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.