S522 – Closure of fistula - External, suprapubic
OHIP Urology Code — UROGENITAL AND URINARY SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
S522 describes the surgical procedure for the suture and closure of an external, suprapubic fistula. A 25% premium (E792) can be added when the procedure is performed laparoscopically. This procedure has 6 base units for an assistant and 7 base units for anaesthesia. See also 'Operations on the Female Genital System', page for related fistula closure procedures.
When to Use
- Use S522 specifically for the surgical closure of a suprapubic fistula tract that is external in nature.
- Select S522 when the procedure is performed via an open approach, reserving E792 as an add-on only if the procedure is completed laparoscopically.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing S522 alongside other urogenital fistula repairs (e.g., S523 or S524) without clear documentation of distinct, separate procedures may lead to claim rejection for unbundling.
- Failing to include the E792 premium code when the surgery is performed laparoscopically results in a loss of 25% of the base fee.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the operative report explicitly describes the suprapubic location and the external nature of the fistula to support the use of S522 over more generic urogenital repair codes.
- Always verify the anaesthesia and assistant base units (7 and 6 respectively) are correctly calculated in your submission to avoid discrepancies with the Schedule of Benefits.
Effective: April 1, 2026
T. Urogenital and Urinary Surgical Procedures
UROGENITAL AND URINARY SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Urogenital and Urinary Surgical Procedures
Closure of fistula - see also Operations on the Female Genital System, page .
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