Wiki Modifier 53 for ASC Procedure?

[toria11]

I do physician billing (not billing for the facility) and the doctor documented that after anesthesia was administered the patient's "heart rate increased to 120-130 with some decreased bp so procedure not preformed, will need cardiology eval and may consider trusp under local w cognitive biopsy." This procedure was scheduled and attempted at an ASC. Can we still bill the procedure with a 53 or is modifier 53 not applicable in an ASC setting? Everything I've read says modifier 53 is not appropriate in an outpatient hospital setting but I can't find anything regarding physician services at an ASC.

Thank you!!

 

[thomas7331]

Modifier 53 does not apply in this situation, regardless of the location. A physician cannot bill for a procedure that was never started. The facility can bill for a procedure that was cancelled before of after anesthesia (modifiers 73 and 74) but the physician can only bill for what was actually performed.

 

[toria11]

Thank you!