Hi there:
I have a trauma case where an exploratory laporotomy was performed with liver packing. Dr. B. is the surgeon and Dr. M is the assistant surgeon. In the Op note the dictation states that Dr. M. placed a cutdown venous catheter in the lower tibial area.
How do I code for the cutdown cath placement? Is Dr. M. now a co-surgeon and I should seek a dictated report from Dr. M. for doing the cutdown cath placement? Or, should I just code a cut down cath placement and list the 80 modifier for Dr. M.
Please advise and thank you.
Debbie K
I have a trauma case where an exploratory laporotomy was performed with liver packing. Dr. B. is the surgeon and Dr. M is the assistant surgeon. In the Op note the dictation states that Dr. M. placed a cutdown venous catheter in the lower tibial area.
How do I code for the cutdown cath placement? Is Dr. M. now a co-surgeon and I should seek a dictated report from Dr. M. for doing the cutdown cath placement? Or, should I just code a cut down cath placement and list the 80 modifier for Dr. M.
Please advise and thank you.
Debbie K