S173 – Intestines - abdominal
OHIP Urology Code — DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
This service is for the abdominal surgeon's component of a total colectomy with abdomino-perineal resection performed by a two-surgeon team. The perineal component is billed separately by the second surgeon under S174. As a surgical procedure, this service includes the common and specific elements applicable to all surgical services as outlined in the Schedule of Benefits, such as pre-operative assessment, the surgical procedure itself, and post-operative care.
When to Use
- Use S173 exclusively when performing the abdominal portion of a synchronous two-surgeon abdomino-perineal resection.
- Select S173 when the primary surgeon focuses on the abdominal dissection and mobilization, while a second surgeon simultaneously or sequentially performs the perineal phase billed as S174.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing S173 as a solo surgeon is an audit risk; the Ministry expects a corresponding S174 claim from a different provider for the same patient on the same date.
- Attempting to bill S173 in conjunction with S170 (total colectomy) is a duplicate billing error, as S173 is specific to the two-surgeon team approach.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the operating room record clearly delineates the two-surgeon team structure to support the use of S173 and S174, as these codes are specifically linked to this collaborative surgical model.
Effective: April 1, 2025
S. Digestive System Surgical Procedures
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
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