Bulletin 210302 — COVID‑19 Temporary Modifier Payment for AGMPs
Reactivation of the E405A in-hospital AGMP modifier, creation of new E404A out-of-hospital AGMP modifier, and expansion of list of eligible AGMPs
To: All Providers
Category: Physician Services
Published by: Claims Services Branch, Ontario Health Insurance Plan Division
Date Issued: March 8, 2021
Background
To further support the government’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario, the Ministry of Health (ministry) and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) have reached an agreement to implement temporary 30% modifier payments for eligible Aerosol-Generating Medical Procedures (AGMPs) performed both in and outside of hospitals, for the period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.
On March 1, 2021, the ministry has implemented the following changes with an effective date retroactive to October 1, 2020:
- Reactivation of the E405A fee code-Hospital Complexity Modifier
- Creation of a new E404A fee code-Modifier payment for AGMPs performed outside of hospital
- Expanded the list of eligible AGMP services
Related communications
Please refer to the additional communications listed below regarding AGMP services for further information.
- INFOBulletin 4758 titled ‘Temporary Fees for Identified AGMP Procedures-COVID-19-Hospital Physician Compensation’
- INFOBulletin 201105 titled ‘COVID-19 Hospital Physician Compensation: E405A Changes’
- INFOBulletin 201108 titled ‘Temporary Fees for Identified AGMPs in Community Settings’
- INFOBulletin 201202 titled ‘System solution for E405A effective December 1, 2020’
Reactivation of E405A hospital complexity modifier
The ministry has reactivated fee schedule code (FSC) ‘E405A-Hospital Complexity Modifier’ with an effective date of October 1, 2020. E405A will be eligible for payment for eligible services between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.
E405A should only be billed for patients who are COVID-19 positive or who are treated as at risk of being COVID-19 positive under local hospital policy. This FSC can only be billed for providing general anesthesia and for performing certain procedures which are listed in ‘Appendix A-Complete List of Eligible AGMPs’.
The eligible AGMP list has also been expanded effective October 1, 2020. E405A will be paid at 30% of the fee paid value (fee approved for shadow billed claims) of the applicable services for the same patient, same physician on the same day.
Fee for service claim submissions for E405A
- A Master Number is required to be submitted with FSC E405A.
- E405A does not require a diagnostic code.
- When E405A is billed with a Northern Specialist Hospital-based group number (group numbers 64AA-64DZ) the 30% premium will be calculated on the pre-reduction amount.
- E405A is payable on the sum of fee paid (fee approved for shadow billed claims) for all eligible claims, submitted on the same claim or previously paid claims with same service date, same physician, and same patient.
- E405A is a daytime premium for services that commence between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays (not to be used for services on weekends or holidays).
- E405A is not payable with E400C, E401C, E409A, E410A, E412A, E413A, Q012A, Q016A, Q017A and Q018A (after-hours premiums).
- Travel, first and additional persons seen premiums are eligible for payment with E405A for the same patient, same physician, same service date.
- E405A is not eligible to be billed with virtual care claims.
- Additional fee schedule codes E173A, E174A, E839A, F138A, F139A, F140A, F142A, F143A, F144A, M027A, M063A, M144A, R788A, R789A, Z313A, Z314A and Z317A are eligible to be billed with E405A.
- If a claim is submitted with a service date of October 1, 2020 onwards for E405A, and an eligible AGMP code from Appendix A has been paid for same patient, same service date, same provider on the same claim or on a previous claim, the E405A will be paid at 30% of the fee paid (fee approved for shadow billed claims) on the AGMP service.
- E405A is not eligible for payment for service dates between August 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020. If E405A is submitted with a service date between August 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the claim will be rejected to the provider’s error report with error code ‘A3E-No such FSC’.
- If E405A is submitted and there is no AGMP service on the claim or previously paid for same patient, same service date, same physician, the E405A will pay at $0.00 with error code ‘DF-Corresponding fee code has not been claimed or was approved at zero’.
- A stale-date exemption on E405A has been extended until June 30, 2021 for E405A submissions with service dates approaching stale-dating.
New E404A modifier for AGMPs outside of hospital
The ministry has implemented a new temporary 30% modifier payment for eligible AGMPs performed outside of hospitals, which will be applicable for eligible AGMPs rendered outside of a hospital on or between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021 and under the eligibility criteria noted below.
The new temporary modifier for AGMPs outside of hospital is only eligible for payment on AGMPs when the AGMP meets all three criteria:
- Is performed outside of a hospital.
- Is commenced between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm on weekdays.
- Is rendered to a patient who is COVID-19 positive as confirmed by laboratory testing, or at risk of being COVID-19 positive as documented in the medical record.
The ministry currently defines a patient as at risk of being COVID-19 positive if they meet one of these two criteria:
- They have lived in or have recently travelled to public health unit regions defined by Public Health Ontario (PHO) as level Orange-Restrict or higher, as defined in the “COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open
- They screen positive based on the criteria in the ministry’s “COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document ”
The list of eligible AGMPs performed outside of a hospital will mirror the list used for the equivalent modifier payment for AGMPs performed in hospitals, which was implemented as part of the larger COVID-19 temporary payments for physician services in-hospital (refer to Related Communications above).
Fee for service claim submissions for E404A
- E404A is effective October 1, 2020.
- All the rules that apply to ‘E405A-AGMP Complexity Hospital Modifier’ apply to the new ‘E404A-AGMP Modifier Out of Hospital’ with the exception of Master Number and Admit date which should be blank when submitting a claim for E404A with an eligible AGMP service rendered outside of a hospital setting.
- If E404A is submitted with an eligible AGMP code with a service date prior to October 1, 2020, the claim will be rejected to the provider’s error report with error code ‘A3E-No such FSC’.
- A stale-date exemption has been applied until June 30, 2021 for E404A submissions with service dates approaching stale dating.
- E404A and E405A cannot be submitted together.
- If an incoming claim contains both E404A and E405A for the same patient and same service date, the 2nd FSC will be paid at $0 with explanatory code ‘D7-Not allowed in addition to other procedure’.
- E404A is a daytime premium for services commencing between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays (not to be used for services on weekends or holidays).
Primary care claim submissions for E404A
Effective October 1, 2020, E404A will pay fee for service for all primary care models.
Appendix A – complete list of eligible AGMPs
NOTE: This list of eligible Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures (AGMP) is currently being expanded to include additional procedures.
Fee schedule code | Descriptor | April 2020 price |
---|---|---|
Anaesthesia | Anaesthesia unit fee | $15.29 |
E600 | Larynx-Endoscopy-Laryngoscopy-Using operating microscope-To charges for laryngoscopy add | $33.60 |
G050 | Trachea and Bronchi-Endoscopy-Bronchoscopy-Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), for guided biopsy of hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes | $203.05 |
G579 | Echocardiography-Transoesophageal echocardiography-Saline study (including venipuncture, to G571, G574, G581 or G584 add | $11.35 |
G580 | Echocardiography-Transoesophageal echocardiography-Insertion of oesophageal transducer | $45.00 |
G581 | Echocardiography-Transoesophageal echocardiography-professional component (P1) | $25.00 |
M012 | Nose-Reconstruction-Septoplasty | $293.95 |
M054 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-Endoscopic approach-Intranasal maxillary antrostomy-unilateral-by endoscopic or endonasal approach | $123.70 |
M055 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-External or Endonasal Approach-Maxillary-Caldwell-Luc (includes intranasal antrostomy)-Unilateral | $247.35 |
M056 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-Maxillectomy-Partial or complete | $971.75 |
M061 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-External or Endonasal Approach-Sphenoid-Trans-Septal sphenoidectomy for tumour or radical exenteration of disease | $355.65 |
M081 | Larynx-Excision-Laryngectomy-Total | $838.90 |
M083 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-Ethmoidectomy/antrostomy-Intranasal ethmoidectomy including maxillary antrostomy, with endoscope-unilateral (not eligible for payment with M061 or M054) | $350.00 |
M084 | Larynx-Excision-Laryngectomy-Segmental, including reconstruction | $888.85 |
M086 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-Ethmoidectomy/antrostomy-Transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea (includes harvesting of graft material) with or without 3D CT/MRI image guided system | $822.45 |
M105 | Chest Wall and Mediastinum-Excision-Chest wall tumour, resection of 2 or 3 ribs or cartilages | $650.00 |
M135 | Lungs and Pleura-Incision-Major decortication of lung for empyema or tumour | $848.80 |
M137 | Respiratory /Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures-Lungs and pleura-Incision-Multi-Thoracotomy with or without biopsy | $390.65 |
M142 | Lungs and Pleura-Excision-Pneumonectomy, may include radical mediastinal node dissection, sampling or pericardial resection requiring repair | $1,485.40 |
M143 | Lungs and Pleura-Excision-Lobectomy, may include radical mediastinal node dissection or sampling | $1,402.60 |
M145 | Lungs and Pleura-Excision-Wedge resection of lung | $843.40 |
M149 | Lungs and Pleura-Excision-Pleurectomy, and/or apical bullectomy for pneumothorax | $525.00 |
M151 | Lungs and Pleura-Excision-Bullectomy for major bullous disease | $725.00 |
N111 | Cranial-Skull Base Surgery-Resection of lesion(s)-Endonasal Approach-Pituitary lesion(s)-Transsphenoidal microscopic resection of lesion(s) originating in the sella turcica requiring simple closure, repair and/or reconstruction of surgical defect(s) | $1,879.00 |
N112 | Cranial-Brain-Skull Base Surgery-Surgical Access-Endonasal Approach-Surgeon not rendering resection of lesion(s)-Endonasal endoscopic or microscopic approach for surgical access to sella turcica-Includes when rendered middle turbinate reductions, maxillary antrostomies, ethmoidotomies, ethmoidectomies, sphenoidotomies, septotomy, septoplasty and septal mucosal flap(s) harvest associated with septotomy or sphenoidal mucosal flap(s) | $1,360.00 |
N114 | Cranial-Skull Base Surgery-Resection of lesion(s)-Endonasal Approach-Pituitary lesion(s)-Transsphenoidal endonasal endoscopic resection of lesion(s) originating in the sella turcica requiring simple closure, repair and/or reconstruction of surgical defect(s) | $1,742.45 |
N116 | Cranial-Skull Base Surgery-Resection of lesion(s)-Endonasal Approach-Non-Pituitary lesion(s)-Endonasal endoscopic resection of non-Pituitary lesion(s) not originating from pituitary tissue requiring simple closure, repair and/or reconstruction of surgical defect(s) | $2,243.45 |
N150 | Cranial-Cerebral Injury-C.S.F. leak-Intracranial repair (to include trans-Sphenoidal approach) | $1,065.45 |
R181 | Respiratory Surgical Procedures-Nose-Excision of nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal lesion-With palatal split | $508.20 |
S018 | Oral Cavity and Pharynx-Excision-Glossectomy-Partial | $197.45 |
S043 | Salivary Glands and Ducts-Excision-Parotid gland-Total (with preservation of facial nerve) | $885.75 |
S063 | Oral Cavity and Pharynx-Excision-Branchial-Tonsillectomy and may include adenoidectomy | $178.35 |
S065 | Oral Cavity and Pharynx-Excision-Branchial-Adenoidectomy | $101.25 |
S068 | Oral Cavity and Pharynx-Excision-Closure of fistula-Pharyngo-Laryngectomy | $1,155.45 |
S236 | Endoscopic Ultrasound-Linear or radial echo-Endoscope-Excluding biliary or pancreatic examination (scope also used for therapeutic procedures) | $203.05 |
S237 | Endoscopic Ultrasound-Linear or radial echo-Endoscope-Including biliary and/or pancreatic examination (scope also used for therapeutic procedures) | $253.80 |
Z292 | Laryngoscopy Direct without biopsy | $61.30 |
Z293 | Laryngoscopy Direct with biopsy | $61.30 |
Z296 | Nose-Endoscopy-Fiberoptic endoscopy of upper airway (nose, hypopharynx or larynx) (IOP)-With flexible endoscope-If only operative procedure performed | $20.10 |
Z299 | Nose-Endoscopy-Fiberoptic endoscopy of upper airway (nose, hypopharynx or larynx) (IOP)-With rigid endoscope, for Diagnostic evaluation, or to facilitate biopsy or surgical treatment of pathology in the posterior nasal cavity, hypopharynx or larynx | $8.55 |
Z301 | Nose-Incision-Drainage of abscess or haematoma | $55.60 |
Z302 | Nose-Incision-Turbinate reduction-Unilateral or bilateral (by any method) | $55.60 |
Z305 | Nose-Excision-Nasal polyp-Multiple or involving general anaesthetic-Unilateral | $55.60 |
Z311 | Nose-Excision-Removal of foreign body-Local anaesthetic | $10.55 |
Z312 | Nose-Excision-Removal of foreign body-General anaesthetic | $50.90 |
Z314 | Nose-Treatment of epistaxis (nasal Haemorrhage)-Cauterization-Unilateral | $11.50 |
Z315 | Nose-Treatment of epistaxis (nasal Haemorrhage)-Anterior packing-Unilateral | $15.35 |
Z316 | Nose-Treatment of epistaxis (nasal Haemorrhage)-Posterior packing-Unilateral or bilateral | $35.50 |
Z317 | Nose-Endoscopy-Fiberoptic endoscopy of upper airway (nose, hypopharynx or larynx) (IOP)-Examination under anaesthesia (EUA) of nose including suction cautery for posterior epistaxis-Unilateral or bilateral | $112.05 |
Z318 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-Endoscopic approach-Trephine or endoscopic frontal sinusotomy | $133.30 |
Z322 | Larynx-Endoscopy-Direct-With removal of foreign body | $106.45 |
Z323 | Larynx-Endoscopy-Direct-With removal of lesion(s) | $226.35 |
Z324 | Larynx-Endoscopy-Indirect-With biopsy or removal of foreign body | $44.70 |
Z325 | Trachea and Bronchi-Incision-Emergency tracheotomy | $474.65 |
Z326 | Trachea and Bronchi-Tracheo-Bronchial aspiration-Change of tracheostomy tube | $12.50 |
Z327 | Trachea and Bronchi-Endoscopy-Bronchoscopy-Flexible or rigid, with or without bronchial biopsy, suction or injection of contrast material | $124.90 |
Z329 | Chest Wall and Mediastinum-Endoscopy-Mediastinoscopy | $380.00 |
Z331 | Lungs and Pleura-Introduction-Thoracentesis-Aspiration for Diagnostic sample | $32.45 |
Z332 | Lungs and Pleura-Introduction-Thoracentesis-Aspiration with therapeutic drainage with or without Diagnostic sample | $59.15 |
Z334 | Lungs and Pleura-Introduction-Thoracentesis-Total unilateral lung lavage with or without bronchoscopy using Double Lumen Tube and single lung anaesthesia | $304.60 |
Z335 | Thoracoscopy (pleuroscopy) with or without pleural biopsy, suction, etc. | $242.35 |
Z336 | Lungs and Pleura-Incision-Biopsy of pleura, needle-Including Diagnostic aspiration | $59.15 |
Z338 | Lungs and Pleura-Excision-Biopsy of pleura or lung-With limited thoracotomy | $202.80 |
Z340 | Lungs and Pleura-Incision-biopsy of lung, needle | $137.85 |
Z341 | Lungs and Pleura-Incision-Closed drainage effusion or pneumothorax | $76.80 |
Z342 | Trachea and Bronchi-Limited bronchoscopy with placement of endobronchial blocker and/or double lumen tube | $112.55 |
Z343 | Larynx-Endoscopy-Direct-With dilatation of larynx, to include bronchoscopy if necessary | $202.35 |
Z344 | Trachea and Bronchi-Tracheo-Bronchial aspiration-First procedure | $45.95 |
Z345 | Trachea and Bronchi-Tracheo-Bronchial aspiration-Subsequent procedures performed by same physician | $18.60 |
Z346 | Trachea and Bronchi-Tracheo-Bronchial aspiration-Transtracheal aspiration | $22.35 |
Z350 | Accessory Nasal Sinuses-Endoscopic approach-Ethmoidectomy/antrostomy-Endoscopic sphenoidotomy-Unilateral | $123.70 |
Z355 | Trachea and Bronchi-Quadroscopy or panendoscopy-With or without biopsy (nasopharyngoscopy, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, oesophagoscopy with or without gastro-duodenoscopy) using separate instruments in search of malignant disease | $321.45 |
Z356 | Trachea and Bronchi-Tracheo-Bronchial aspiration-Closure of persistent tracheostoma | $133.95 |
Z359 | Trachea and Bronchi-Repeat bronchoscopy for tracheobronchial toilet when performed within one week of another bronchoscopic procedure | $56.65 |
Z360 | Trachea and Bronchi-Endoscopy-Bronchoscopy-Emergency rigid bronchoscopy for obstructed airway | $474.65 |
Z361 | Lungs and Pleura-Incision-Chronic indwelling pleural catheter for palliative management of malignant pleural effusion-Insertion of indwelling catheter | $200.00 |
Z399 | Oesophagus-Endoscopy-Oesophagoscopy-Gastroscopy, with or without duodenoscopy-Elective | $92.50 |
Z400 | Oesophagus-Endoscopy-Oesophagoscopy-Gastroscopy, with or without duodenoscopy-for active bleeding | $125.10 |
Z515 | Oesophagus-Endoscopy-Oesophagoscopy, with or without biopsy(ies) | $68.25 |
Z524 | Oral Cavity and Pharynx-Incision-Drainage of haematoma or deep neck abscess (external approach) | $271.05 |
Z527 | Stomach-Endoscopy-Gastroscopy-May include biopsies, photography and removal of polyps less than or equal to 1 cm | $82.90 |
Z528 | Gastroscopy-subsequent (within three months following previous gastroscopy) | $67.85 |
Z547 | Stomach-Endoscopy-Gastroscopy-With removal of foreign body | $99.75 |
Z558 | Biliary Tract-Endoscopy-Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-Including sphincterotomy and may include removal of one or more bile duct stones | $300.25 |
Z561 | Biliary Tract-Endoscopy-Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-With cannulation of common bile duct and/or pancreatic duct | $213.15 |
Z584 | Intestines (except rectum)-Endoscopy-Small bowel push enteroscopy | $185.15 |
Z738 | Trachea and Bronchi-Incision-Insertion of Montgomery “T” Tube or similar laryngeal or tracheal stent | $216.10 |
Z741 | Trachea and Bronchi-Incision-Tracheotomy | $273.15 |
Z760 | Biliary Tract-Endoscopy-Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-Through gastrojejunostomy following previous Billroth II | $251.85 |
AGMPs added to the eligible list
The following procedures, when requiring the use of a high-speed device in the respiratory tract, are eligible for the AGMP premium when performed on patients who are COVID-19 positive or who are treated as at risk of COVID-19 positive:
Fee schedule code | Descriptor | April 2020 price |
---|---|---|
F138 | Mandible-Closed reduction, includes maxillary-mandibular fixation | $350.00 |
F139 | Mandible-Open reduction, per fracture, to include intermaxillary fixation | $575.00 |
F140 | Mandible-Removal of intermaxillary fixation device(s) | $100.00 |
E173 | Orbit-Open reduction rim/wall fracture-Zygomatic fracture dislocation | $594.70 |
E174 | Orbit-Blowout fracture of floor | $667.00 |
F143 | Midface fractures-Application of craniofacial suspension wires and external fixation devices (not to be billed in addition to maxillary repair)-Middle ¼ facial | $577.65 |
F144 | Midface fractures-Application of craniofacial suspension wires and external fixation devices (not to be billed in addition to maxillary repair)-Cranial-facial separation | $1,594.90 |
F142 | Orbit with maxilla-With wiring and local fixation | $685.20 |
M063 | Maxillectomy-Coronal and/or osteoplastic procedure for frontal sinusectomy, reconstruction or obliteration-Unilateral or bilateral | $716.25 |
Additional eligible procedures when requiring open suctioning of the airway:
Fee schedule code | Descriptor | April 2020 price |
---|---|---|
Z317 | Endoscopy-Examination under anaesthesia (EUA) of nose including suction cautery for posterior epistaxis-Unilateral or bilateral | $112.05 |
Z314 | Treatment of epistaxis (nasal haemorrhage)-Cauterization-Unilateral | $11.50 |
E839 | Excision-Nasal polyp-With flexible endoscope, to Z304 | $19.20 |
M027 | Treatment of epistaxis (nasal haemorrhage)-Ligation of external carotid artery-Unilateral | $297.25 |
R788 | Treatment of epistaxis (nasal haemorrhage)-Ligation of internal maxillary artery-Unilateral | $408.10 |
R789 | Treatment of epistaxis (nasal haemorrhage)-Ligation of anterior ethmoidal artery-Unilateral | $299.85 |
Z313 | Treatment of epistaxis (nasal haemorrhage)-Endoscopic transnasal ligation of the sphenopalatine artery for posterior epistaxis-Unilateral | $123.70 |
M144 | Segmental resection, including segmental bronchus and artery | $1,441.75 |
Keywords/tags
E405A; E404A; AGMP; Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures; COVID-19
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