Wiki Assistant Surgeon modifier

[christi3_]

I have a few providers that perform a surgery on a patient who also state they "assist" another provider with their surgeries. The Op note usually says to "see dictated note from Dr.." for that procedure.

My question is, can you also bill for the surgeries assisted on when you are billing for operations that the doctor performed without assistance? For example, a general surgeon is repairing a perforated bowel at the same time another surgeon is performing a nephrectomy. The general surgeon states he has assisted in the nephrectomy and to see other dictated note. Can you bill one procedure without a modifier and the other with an -80?

I'm having difficulty explaining this so I hope this all makes sense.. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Barbiejean]

assistant surgeon

I would advise you get the op note from the other surgeon that he "assisted" to see if he is listed as an "assistant" in that note. If he's listed as an "assistant" to the procedure he says he is, then the "80" will work.

Hope this helps!!

Barbie