tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2003 Issue 5

Distinguishing Modifiers -80, -81, -82 and -AS

Surgeons often use assistants in the operating room, but with three CPT modifiers (-80, -81 and -82) and a HCPCS modifiers (-AS) to describe assisted surgery, coding for such services can be confusing. By reviewing CPT, CMS and payer guidelines, you can minimize the confusion.Similar, but Not the SameAlthough modifiers -80 (Assistant surgeon), -81 (Minimum assistant surgeon) and -82 (Assistant surgeon [when qualified resident surgeon not available]) all define an assistant at surgery, each has a distinct purpose.Modifier -80 is the most commonly used of the three and describes the presence of a second physician in the...

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