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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Modifier Roundup:

Tackle Follow-Up Procedure Coding With Clear Cut 58, 78, and 79 Rules

Published on Sun May 02, 2010

Don't miss out on extra pay when global period resets.Just because you routinely append modifiers to your claims doesn't mean you're filing correctly and getting the most appropriate pay. Brush up on your modifier know-how with these tips for three of the trickiest choices: modifiers 58, 78, and 79.Remember All Possible Uses for 58 The descriptor for modifier 58 seems self-explanatory: Staged or related procedure by the same physician during the postoperative period. Coders sometimes trip, however, when they forget that modifier 58 actually applies to subsequent procedures that fall into one of three categories:Planned or anticipated (staged): An example of when you might use modifier 58 in this situation would be if your neurosurgeon retrieves a cranial bone graft (+62148) and repairs the skull (62143) 10 weeks from the date of the initial hematoma evacuation (61312) and temporary bone flap implantation (+61316). Because the cranial repair takes place within [...]
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