Wiki Co-surgeon

[mcleveland]

I am a coder for neurosurgeons. I have 2 surgeons that performed a 3 level laminectomy on a patient for lumbar stenosis, they both dictated OP report as co-surgeon. This is a straightforward procedure. Should this be coded as Co-surgeon with a 62 modifier or as a First Assist with a 82 modifer, as we are a teaching facility?

 

[mitchellde]

you use the 62 if both dictate an op note BUT they need to show different aspects of the same procedure being performed by each physician. Such as one opens and then the other steps in and does his thing, so each op note should show what this physician did and when he handed over to the other physician , then he shows at point he took over and then the part he did. If both were playing in the same field at the same time essentially doing the same thing, then one is surgeon the other is an assistant.

 

[mcleveland]

Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!