Wiki Difference between modifier 78 & 79

[lcole7465]

I'm new to using the different modifiers, I coded anesthesia for the last few years and only had a couple that were applicable with anesthesia. I'm looking for a good reference for the difference between using the -78 and -79 modifiers.

The example I have is that a patient had a pain management procedure (64633), this procedure has a 10 global period. The patient came back within the global period to have the procedure done again. I didn't see any documentation that it was a staged procedure so I think the -58 wouldn't apply.

Thanks

 

[danskangel313]

This might help explain the modifiers: https://www.modahealth.com/pdfs/reimburse/RPM010.pdf

As far as the modifier for you example, it would depend on the reason the procedure was done again as well as if the procedure was done in the OR, among other things.