Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Find out what co-surgery indicators '0,' '1,' '2,' and '9' really mean. To use modifier 62, you've got to meet certain requirements -- including both surgeons reporting the same code and that code carrying an eligible co-surgeon indicator. These survival tips can make modifier 62 friendlier to your eyes and eliminate whatever doubts you have about its functionality. Tip 1: Focus On Co-Surgery Definition When two surgeons (such as a general surgeon and otolaryngologist) cooperate to perform a surgery within the same body cavity and with a single goal, each of them applies his own expertise to achieve that single goal. At the same time, they assist and complement each other. To bill for co-surgery, both surgeons must bill using the same CPT codes and append modifier 62. According to the 2009 Otolaryngology Coders Survival Guide, you should append modifier 62 "when two surgeons work together to complete a procedure described [...]