Bulletin 260312 — New and updated explanatory codes
The Ministry of Health is introducing a new explanatory code ‘SN’ for multiple anaesthesia codes billed and updating the explanatory code 09.
To: All physicians; OHIP Billing Software Vendors
Category: Physician Services; Billing Software Specifications
Written by: Claims Services Branch
Date issued: April 8, 2026
Bulletin Number: 260312
New SN explanatory code
The following explanatory code will begin appearing on the May 2026 Remittance Advice: SN - Multiple Surgical Anaesthesia. Documentation of Separate Surgeries Same Day/Same Patient Required.
The new explanatory code applies when multiple C-suffix Anaesthesia Procedural Fee Schedule Codes (FSCs) are submitted for the same patient, on the same date of service, by the same provider. Please note, this does not apply to premiums or extra units.
Providers seeking reimbursement for multiple Anaesthesia Procedural FSCs billed for the same patient, on the same date of service, must submit supporting documentation confirming that the surgeries were performed separately and under distinct administrations of anaesthesia.
Providers that receive the SN explanatory code and believe they should be reimbursed for the above reason, should submit a Remittance Advice Inquiry (RAI) including supporting documentation, as advised above.
As described on page GP93 of the Schedule of Benefits, where multiple or bilateral surgical procedures are performed during the same anaesthetic, physicians should claim the number of basic units listed in the column headed with “Anae” opposite the service that describes the major procedure. Time units are calculated and added to the basic units. Claims should be submitted using the same Anaesthesia Procedural FSC for both the basic and time units.
Updated 09 explanatory code
The definition of the 09 explanatory code has been updated to “Fee Schedule Code(s) used is not correct, please resubmit claim with the appropriate FSC or submit an RAI if the claim is posted on a Remittance Advice”.
There are no changes to when this explanatory code is applied to claims.
The Remittance Advice Explanatory Codes/Messages document on the ministry website has been updated to reflect these changes.
Keywords/Tags
Explanatory code; explan code; anaesthesia; SN; remittance advice; RA.
Contact information
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