tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2009 Issue 1

3 Questions Clinch Your Decision to Apply 78

Surgeon must return the patient to the operating room If you want to be sure when to apply modifier 78 -- instead of similar modifiers such as modifier 58 and modifier 79 -- you need only ask yourself three questions. If all the answers come up "Yes," you can safely assume that 78 is your modifier of choice. 1. Does the Procedure Fall Within a Global? You would only apply modifier 78 (Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following an initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period) if a subsequent procedure...

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