diep flaps

[mtamster@outlook.com]

A plastic surgeon in our practice, with a subspecialty in microsurgery, has been asked to perform a free flap procedure along with a plastic surgeon in another practice. It was suggested that both surgeons bill the procedure using modifier 62, which is appropriate when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure. The fee schedule amount applicable to the payment for each co-surgeon is 62.5% of the global surgery fee schedule amount. In addition to appending the -62 modifier on the CPT code (we would both use the same code), each surgeon would dictate their own operative report.

Can you please clarify whether or not surgeons in the same specialty can bill modifier 62?

Thank you,

 

[colorectal surgeon]

I was just reading about this in a modifier book. Yes, surgeons in the same specialty can bill with a -62 modifier if each does a separate portion of the procedure. They would both dictate an operative note to indicate which portions were done by whom. CMS recognizes modifier -62 but apparently many commercial plans do not. Hope that helps.