Wiki 2 docs 2 surgeries same day same practice

[caskln1]

2 Ortho surgeons did 2 surgeries on the same patient same day under the same anesthesia and the they both work out of the same practice so we bill both under the same tax ID number. Because we bill them under the same tax ID number they know not to see same patient same day for an E/M even if it's for a different body part since one of the claims won't get paid. How do we code for 2 surgeries same patient same day?

Patient had ACL & foot surgery done on the same day. Dr. 1 did the ACL with an assistant and then Dr. 2 did the foot surgery with Dr. 1 as the assistant. Surgery was done under same anesthesia session.

CPT codes used:

1st part surgery 29888, 29881
2nd part surgery 27676, 27658

I was thinking mod 59 for the second surgery, my co-worker was saying mod 79. Any suggestions or advice?

 

[svms]

I am thinking that you would use 62 modifier; 62 modifier means two surgeons.

 

[mitchellde]

To use the 62 modifier you must have both providers performing distinct parts of the same procedure. Not two different procedures.
You should not need any modifier here as these are distinctly different procedures as identified by anatomy.