1What Is the A724 OHIP Code?
What is A724?
The A724 OHIP billing code refers to a 'Medical specific re-assessment' in the context of occupational medicine. This service involves a detailed re-assessment by specialists and includes a comprehensive history and examination of the affected system related to the patient's workplace concerns.
A common use for the A724 code involves scenarios like reassessing a worker after initiating a graduated return-to-work plan, or re-evaluating a patient with a respiratory complaint following exposure to workplace hazards once surveillance testing has been completed.
This billing code is crucial for ensuring that ongoing medical assessments accurately reflect the worker's health status in relation to work injuries or exposure incidents, though it's often overlooked in favor of a basic assessment code.
2Related Codes
| Code | Name | Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A723 | Medical specific assessment | as needed | Initial medical specific assessment in occupational medicine. |
| C723 | Medical specific assessment (in-patient) | as needed | In-patient initial assessment in occupational medicine. |
| A721 | Complex medical specific re-assessment | as needed | Complex re-assessment requiring more time or expertise. |
| C721 | Complex medical specific re-assessment (in-patient) | as needed | Complex re-assessment for hospitalized patients. |
3Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
To bill for the A724 code under OHIP, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- Service Requirements: Specific re-assessments require a full, relevant history and physical examination of one or more systems. These must be documented adequately.
- Billing Frequency: Services under A724 are limited to two per patient per physician per 12-month period. Exceptions apply for re-assessments associated with hospital admissions.
- Time Recording: The billing is contingent upon documenting the start and end times of the service in the patient's medical record, as required under General Preamble GP7.
- Virtual Delivery: The code can be rendered virtually as A724A, suitable for video or telephone consultations.
- In-patient Services: The equivalent code for hospital in-patient services is C724.
4What Your Clinical Note Must Show
For successful billing of A724, documentation must include:
- Full and relevant history taken
- Physical examination of one or more systems
- Recorded start and end times for the service
- Documentation of the re-assessment focus relating to work-related conditions
5Weak vs. Strong Note Examples
The strong note succeeds due to its detailed capture of the re-assessment process and timestamps, which ensures compliance with billing requirements. The weak note lacks detail and specific examination elements.
Patient seen for follow-up. Discussed return-to-work plan. No issues noted.
Conducted specific re-assessment following up on the patient's respiratory complaint linked to workplace exposure to solvents.
Comprehensive history updated, including review of symptoms since initiating the return-to-work plan. Noted improvement but residual symptoms during heavy exertion.
- Physical examination conducted with focus on respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- Start time: 10:00 AM, End time: 10:45 AM. Documented in patient's chart.
- Discussion around gradual increase in work duties and need for further occupational surveillance testing.
