Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Published on Sat Jun 13, 2009 PDF

Ask the following questions to make your modifier decision easier.

If you have trouble determining when modifiers 78 (Unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period), 58 (Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician  during the postoperative period), and 79 (Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period) apply to your claims, check out this handy flow chart which can lead you to the correct modifier decisions every time.