All codes
R748
R748 – Pericardiectomy - one side open
OHIP Radiology Code — CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Pericardiectomy, one side open. This is a surgical procedure listed under the Heart and Pericardium section. The service is eligible for surgeon (A), assistant (B), and anaesthetist (C) fees. Payment for assistant and anaesthetist services is calculated based on a combination of basic units and time units.
When to Use
- Use R748 for a unilateral pericardiectomy where the surgical approach is limited to one side of the pericardial sac.
- Select R748 when performing a partial pericardiectomy for localized disease, distinguishing it from the more extensive R749 (total pericardiectomy) or R750 (radical pericardiectomy).
Common Pitfalls
- Billing R748 alongside R749 or R750 is a common rejection; the Schedule of Benefits considers these mutually exclusive based on the extent of the resection.
- Failing to document the specific unilateral nature of the procedure can lead to audit scrutiny, as the Ministry may default to the higher-valued R749 if the operative report is ambiguous regarding the extent of the pericardial removal.
Billing Tips
- If a second assistant is required for this procedure, you must obtain prior authorization from a medical consultant and submit the surgeon's justification letter, as R748 is not on the pre-approved list for dual assistance.
Provider Fee$635.45
Surgical Assistant Fee$162.63
Anaesthetist Fee$309.80
Non-Anaesthetist Fee$309.80
Effective: April 1, 2025
Category
Q. Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures
Subcategory
CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Service Type
Surgical
Code Classes
Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures, Surgical Assistants' Services, Anaesthesiologists' Services
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.