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S787
S787 – Abscess - surgical
OHIP Urology Code — ENDOCRINE SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Surgical excision for the purpose of a biopsy of the thyroid gland. The fee for this service when performed by the surgeon (suffix A) encompasses all common elements as described in - and the specific elements of surgical procedures. Payment for an assistant (suffix B) is calculated based on 6 base units plus time units. Payment for anaesthesia (suffix C) is calculated based on 7 base units plus time units.
When to Use
- Use S787 specifically for the surgical excision of a thyroid gland lesion when the primary clinical intent is obtaining a biopsy specimen.
- Select S787 when performing a formal surgical excision of a thyroid abscess that requires a formal procedure beyond simple bedside incision and drainage.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing S787 for a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, which is a diagnostic procedure and not a surgical excision; FNA should be billed under the appropriate diagnostic imaging or pathology-related codes.
- Attempting to bill a separate hospital admission assessment or routine pre-operative visit, as these are considered 'common elements' included in the S787 fee.
- Failing to differentiate between a simple incision and drainage (which may fall under different minor surgery codes) and a formal surgical excision defined by S787.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the operative report clearly details the surgical excision process to support the 'surgical' nature of the procedure, distinguishing it from percutaneous or non-surgical biopsy methods.
- If the procedure is performed after hours or on weekends, ensure the appropriate premium (e.g., E409 or E410) is appended to the claim to correctly reflect the timing of the surgical start.
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