R880 – Supraceliac aortic cross clamp
OHIP Radiology Code — CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
R880 is a surgical procedure listed within the Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures section of the Schedule of Benefits. As a surgical service, it includes pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care as defined in the General Preamble. The anaesthesia service is payable based on a combination of basic units specific to the procedure and time units for the duration of anaesthesia. Surgical assistance services may also be payable, calculated similarly with basic and time units, unless specified as 'nil' for this procedure in the Schedule. Various premiums for after-hours services, special visits, trauma care, and patient-specific factors (e.g., age, complexity) may be applicable to the surgeon, assistant, and anaesthesiologist fees.
When to Use
- Use R880 specifically for the surgical act of cross-clamping the aorta above the celiac artery during complex abdominal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.
- Select R880 when the procedure is performed as a distinct surgical step in an open repair, ensuring it is not bundled into a more comprehensive global surgical code for the primary repair.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing R880 in conjunction with other aortic repair codes that already include the cross-clamping component in their global fee, which will trigger a rejection for unbundling.
- Failing to document the specific anatomical level of the clamp; if the clamp is infrarenal, R880 is not the appropriate code and may be audited as an incorrect claim.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the surgical assistant and anaesthesiologist link their claims to the same R880 procedure code to maintain consistency across the surgical team's billing submissions.
- If the procedure is performed on an emergency basis, ensure the appropriate after-hours premium (E409 or E410) is appended to the R880 claim, provided the start time meets the criteria defined in the General Preamble.
Effective: April 1, 2025
Q. Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures
CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures, Anaesthesiologists' Services, Surgical Assistants' Services
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