S788 – Thyroidectomy - total
OHIP Urology Code — ENDOCRINE SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Total thyroidectomy is the complete surgical excision of the thyroid gland. This service is listed in the Endocrine Surgical Procedures section of the Schedule of Benefits. It includes the surgeon's service (suffix A), and allows for separate billing for an assistant (suffix B) and anaesthesiologist (suffix C).
When to Use
- Use S788 for the complete surgical removal of the thyroid gland, distinct from S793 which is reserved for completion thyroidectomy following a previous partial resection.
- Use S788 when the clinical objective is total excision; do not use S789 (thyroid lobectomy) or S790 (thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy) for total thyroidectomy procedures.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing S788 in conjunction with E880 without documenting the specific parathyroid re-implantation procedure, which is a common trigger for audit recovery.
- Attempting to bill S788 alongside other thyroid-related surgical codes (like S789 or S790) on the same date for the same patient, which will result in automatic claim rejection for duplicate or overlapping services.
Billing Tips
- Always append the appropriate age-based premium (e.g., for patients under 16 years) to the S788 claim to ensure the full eligible fee is captured, as these are not automatically calculated by the system.
- Ensure E880 is submitted on the same claim as S788 to confirm the parathyroid re-implantation is linked to the primary thyroidectomy procedure.
Effective: April 1, 2025
W. Endocrine Surgical Procedures
ENDOCRINE SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Endocrine Surgical Procedures
In accordance with , all insured services must be documented in appropriate records to establish that: 1. an insured service was provided; 2. the service for which the account is submitted is the service that was rendered; and 3. the service was medically necessary.
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