Post-op procedure/modifier question

[ccopsey1]

I am newly certified...a patient has a thyroidectomy which has a 90 day global surgical period...13 days later in the office(not O.R.) the same physician performs an incision and drainage of a seroma at the incision line. Help with modifier please? I know not 78 because he did not return to OR...I don't think 79 because it is related to surgery/same incision site...58 states staged/planned and this was not staged or planned. Carrier is MC. Can we bill for this incision/drainage of seroma with modifier (but which one?) Thanks.

[FTessaBartels]

58 modifier - staged or RELATED procedure ...

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

[armen]

58 would be the correct modifier

[poonamsawant]

Hi,

I think here modifier 78 is more appropriate, as it is postoperative complication of the primary procedure.

Regards,
Dr. Poonam