What is OHIP billing code Z118?

Z118 is "Aspiration of superficial lump for cytology", an OHIP Psychiatric code from the Ontario Schedule of Benefits (Physician Services).

How much does Z118 pay?

The current OHIP fee for Z118 is $30.95, effective 2026-04-01, per the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.

How do I bill Z118 to OHIP?

Z118 is submitted through OHIP's MCEDT claims system, either directly or via billing software. SnapBill validates Z118 claims against the Schedule of Benefits rules before submission.

All codes

Z118

Z118 – Aspiration of superficial lump for cytology

OHIP Psychiatric Code — INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits

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The specific details for billing code Z118 are not available in the provided context documents. Z-prefix codes represent surgical procedures, often related to the musculoskeletal system (Sections M-Z). Payment is subject to the general rules for surgical procedures, including eligibility for age-based premiums (), after-hours premiums (E409, E410 found on ), and the trauma premium (E420 on ).

When to Use

Use Z118 for fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a superficial palpable mass, such as a suspected cyst or lymph node, where the primary intent is obtaining material for cytological analysis.
Use Z118 when the procedure is performed as a standalone diagnostic intervention, distinct from a formal excision or biopsy procedure.

Common Pitfalls

Do not bill Z118 in addition to an excision code (e.g., Z119) for the same lesion on the same day, as the aspiration is considered an inclusive component of the surgical excision.
Avoid billing an office visit (A007) on the same day as Z118 unless the visit is for a separate, unrelated clinical issue, as the visit is generally considered bundled into the surgical procedure fee.
Ensure the pathology report or clinical notes clearly document the aspiration process, as billing Z118 without evidence of cytology submission is a common audit trigger.

Billing Tips

If the aspiration is performed on multiple distinct lesions, you may bill Z118 for each site, but ensure clear documentation of the anatomical location for each instance to support the multiple claims.
Always check if the patient qualifies for age-based premiums (GP64) to maximize the claim value, as Z118 is a surgical procedure code eligible for these percentage increases.

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Provider Fee$30.95

Effective: April 1, 2026

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