Z629 – Percutaneous nephrostomy
OHIP Psychiatric Code — UROGENITAL AND URINARY SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Percutaneous nephrostomy (Z629) is a surgical procedure to create a passage from the skin on the back into the renal pelvis. This is typically done to place a nephrostomy tube to drain urine from the kidney when the ureter is blocked. The procedure is listed in the Urogenital and Urinary Surgical Procedures section of the Schedule of Benefits. The service is billable by the surgeon (suffix A) and anaesthesiologist (suffix C). The anaesthesia fee is calculated based on 6 base units plus time units for the duration of the service, as described on of the Schedule. Assistant services are not eligible for payment for this procedure.
When to Use
- Use Z629 for the primary creation of a percutaneous nephrostomy tract and initial placement of the drainage tube in a patient with ureteral obstruction.
- Use Z629 when the procedure is performed as a standalone surgical intervention to relieve hydronephrosis, distinguishing it from diagnostic procedures or simple tube exchanges.
Common Pitfalls
- Attempting to bill Z629 with an assistant fee will result in automatic rejection, as assistant services are explicitly ineligible for this code.
- Billing Z629 for a routine nephrostomy tube exchange is incorrect; ensure the procedure meets the definition of the initial surgical creation of the passage.
Billing Tips
- When billing for the anaesthesiologist, ensure the base units are correctly identified as 6, and append appropriate time units and eligible modifiers like E011C if the patient is in the prone position.
Effective: April 1, 2026
T. Urogenital and Urinary Surgical Procedures
UROGENITAL AND URINARY SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Urogenital and Urinary Surgical Procedures
All insured services must be documented in appropriate medical records to establish that the service was provided, is the service for which the account is submitted, and was medically necessary.
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.