Gastroenterology Coding Alert

According to CPT, modifier -62 (Two surgeons) should be used when "two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure..." Modifier -80 (Assistant surgeon) should be used to designate "surgical assistant services."

The Medicare Physicians Fee Schedule database has fields indicating which procedures can be considered for cosurgery and assistant surgery. The indicators for assistant surgery in field 23 of the fee schedule are as follows:

0 Payment is restricted for assistants at surgery unless documentation is submitted that establishes medical necessity. 1 Statutory payment restrictions apply, and assistants at surgery are not paid. 2 No payment restrictions apply, and assistant at surgery is paid. The indicators for cosurgery in field 24 of the fee schedule are as follows:
0 Cosurgeons are not permitted for this procedure. 1 Cosurgeons could be paid; supporting documentation required to establish medical necessity. 2 Cosurgeons permitted; no documentation needs to be submitted if two-specialty requirement is met.