Wiki PA assisting physician during surgery

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schofielda

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When a PA assists his Physician during surgery, do I bill out the same codes with an AS modifier on the surgical codes under the PA? I'm drawing a blank. It's been a while since I've had to bill this out. Thanks.
 
schofielda said:
When a PA assists his Physician during surgery, do I bill out the same codes with an AS modifier on the surgical codes under the PA? I'm drawing a blank. It's been a while since I've had to bill this out. Thanks.
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yes....make sure it is a billable surgery code for an assist.
 
Yes, you would bill an AS. But I have had some carriers not accept that and want the 82. So it perhaps is different by carrier. Also, our doc puts in that a resident is not available in the surgery note when that comes up.
 
CrysLednum said:
Yes, you would bill an AS. But I have had some carriers not accept that and want the 82. So it perhaps is different by carrier. Also, our doc puts in that a resident is not available in the surgery note when that comes up.
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One of our docs does this as well as he is at a teaching hospital...but I wonder if that is the case or if he just wants to bill his own PA's assist. :)
 
I am a pro at the PA's since we have had several and more on the way. You must put an AS on the identical charge as the surgeon. There are some codes that don't allow assistants so you will have to refer to your books for that info. Also, some insurance require there to be a "supervising physician" on the claim and some don't. That means that you would put the PA's name in as the rendering physician but there should but another spot in your computer for supervising. This way it will should on the claim itself as the surgeon with an AS to indicate that there was a PA used.
 
PA Assists

I am new at the PA assist at surgery. I am confused about the documentation when a PA assists. It seems to me if the procedure indicates that only perhaps a PA needs to be present like a "1" instead of "2" there should be documentation to support the need. For instance the use of PA for a subacromial decompression 29826. If the assist box has a "1" in it do you not have a PA assist or is there a way to get these paid cuz the surgeon says he needs an assist. I hope that was not too confusing.

I guess part of the question is - do you have to document in the op report why the PA was necessary?

Thank you !!!

Denise
 
Yes. I would ask the doc to dictate why the PA was necessary to the procedure. In my experience in billing for PAs I have found greater success in having that detail than not.
 
Crystal

I appreciate your help. I keep telling the docs that. For instance, with code 29826 it is a
"1" so I keep telling them to dictate and they will not - just don't get it. Are you getting paid for an assist with 29826 with documentation?
 
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