S653 – Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
OHIP Urology Code — MALE GENITAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy involves the minimally invasive surgical removal of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues. This service is eligible for payment to the surgeon (suffix A), assistant (suffix B), and anaesthetist (suffix C). The surgeon's fee is a flat rate. Payment for the assistant and anaesthetist is calculated based on a combination of base units and time-based units. - Assistant Fee (Suffix B): Calculated based on 8 base units (:) plus time units as defined in the Schedule (:). - Anaesthetist Fee (Suffix C): Calculated based on 10 base units (:) plus time units as defined in the Schedule (:). This service is a surgical procedure and is subject to general surgical payment rules and premiums as outlined in the General Preamble.
When to Use
- Use S653 specifically for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy; do not use open prostatectomy codes like S645 or S646 for this minimally invasive approach.
- Select S653 when the primary intent is the complete surgical removal of the prostate gland via laparoscopic technique, distinguishing it from simple prostatectomy codes such as S650 or S651.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing S653 with an assistant code (suffix B) without ensuring the assistant's time units are calculated correctly based on the GP86 schedule, as base units alone are insufficient for total reimbursement.
- Failing to document the start time of the procedure, which is critical for triggering after-hours premiums like E400B or E400C, leading to automatic rejection of these add-ons.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the anaesthetist includes the 10 base units for S653 in their claim, and verify that any additional units (e.g., E007C for age or E022C for ASA status) are appended correctly to maximize the anaesthesia fee.
Effective: April 1, 2025
U. Male Genital Surgical Procedures
MALE GENITAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Male Genital Surgical Procedures
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.