Wiki Mod 79, 78 or 58 for Port A Cath

[shellabell32]

Hello, we did a modified radical mastectomy on a patient and they are in the global. We are now doing a port-a-cath placement for their chemo. Would that be considered unrelated? At the same time the Dr also drained a seroma from the mastectomy site. I am thinking that would be a mod-78, so could I use -79 on the port-a-cath and -78 on the seroma drainage?

Thanks so much!
Michelle

 

[ardithch]

mod for port

You cannot bill for the seroma if done in the office....that's included in the global of the mastectomy. Only when you return to the operating room can you bill with the 78 modifier.

For the port, you can bill with the 79 modifier because it's for treatment by chemotherapy.

Hope this helps!

Ardith, CGSC

 

[shellabell32]

Thanks for the reply, the seroma was drained in the OR at the time that he placed the port-a-cath.