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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Unbundling Isn't Quite the Same for an Assistant

Published on Fri May 15, 2009

Question: One of my doctors performed a sling (CPT 57288 ) and cystocele repair. Another surgeon assistedwith the procedures and also performed a rectocele repair. I know that the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) bundles the rectocele with the cystocele, and I should not unbundle them. However, since another surgeon assisted and did the rectocele portion, should I be appending modifier 59 to unbundle the codes anyway? Also, the other surgeon insisted he was assisting on all aspects of the surgery and plans on adding both modifiers 62 and 80. I believe these two modifiers should not be used together, as one is stating the two surgeons are both sharing the lead and the other is stating that one surgeon is lead and the other is assisting. Am I correct? Alaska Subscriber Answer: The answer depends on whether you are billing Medicare or other payers. However, you should code as follows. [...]
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