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R713
R713 – Cardiotomy - with removal of foreign body
OHIP Radiology Code — CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Cardiotomy with removal of a foreign body. This service includes the surgical exploration and extraction of a foreign object from the heart tissue or chambers. The fee is for the surgeon (A suffix), with separate calculations for assistant (B suffix) and anaesthetist (C suffix) services based on basic and time units.
When to Use
- Use R713 for the surgical extraction of a foreign body specifically located within the heart chambers or myocardium.
- Select R713 when the procedure involves an open cardiotomy approach, distinguishing it from percutaneous retrieval methods which may fall under different interventional cardiology codes.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing R713 in conjunction with other major cardiac procedures without ensuring the 'multiple procedure' rules are applied to the assistant and anaesthetist units.
- Failing to document the specific nature and location of the foreign body, which is essential for audit justification of the cardiotomy approach.
- Incorrectly applying trauma premiums (E420) alongside after-hours premiums, as these are mutually exclusive per the Schedule of Benefits.
Billing Tips
- Ensure that if a second assistant is required for this complex procedure, you bill for them explicitly, as R713 is one of the few codes where this does not require prior medical consultant authorization.
- Always verify the patient's exact age at the time of the procedure to ensure the correct age premium (e.g., under 30 days vs. 30 days to 1 year) is applied to both the surgical fee and the assistant's service.
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