tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2000 Issue 9

Reader Question: Appropriate Use of Modifier -62

Question: We are under the impression that modifier -62 (two surgeons) should be used by surgeons of different specialties performing surgery on the same patient at the same time and -80 (assistant surgeon) should be used when one surgeon assists another surgeon of the same specialty. Should we be using modifier -62 when one surgeon assists another in, for example, a vascular bypass graft?Valerie Link Harrisonburg, Va.Answer: Specialty is not as important in this scenario as function, although most carriers do require and expect that the surgeons will be of different specialties (check with your carrier for...

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