Wiki Modifier 80 and 81

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I originally posted this in the modifier section. My question here is the use of these modifiers with salpingectomies. A c-section is done solo, then another doctor is brought in for the salpingectomy. Assuming 59510 is billed for global section, then 58611 is used for the salpingectomy. . .is there even a way to add an 80 for the assistant on an add-on code? I think the other coder always uses 58700, so she would not run into this issue. (She uses 58700 because "It's not paid at 100% anyway.") Point me in the right direction, please!

Also, does anyone have good examples of documentation supporting the use of an 80 modifier and an 81 modifier? Our providers struggle with documentation and love using assistant surgeons (which I am not in agreement with).I have searched for an example to show them what establishing medical necessity and showing exactly what the assistant does, but keep coming up with definitions of the modifiers and grids with what each one requires, but no actual documentation examples.
 
I thought I answered your original questions in the original post since there was no additional question after my last response.
I am interpreting what you are asking here differently than your original post.
FIRST PARAGRAPH:
I am interpreting Dr. A does a CS independently and provides pre-post delivery care. Then, Dr. B who is not part of Dr. A's group, comes in and does a salpingectomy, along with assist Dr. C. I would have to wonder why Dr. A is not doing the salpingectomy. It probably takes Dr. B longer to scrub than for Dr. A to remove the tubes.
If my interpretation is correct,
Dr A bills 59510.
Dr. B - IF the salpingectomy is done for disease process, using 58700 is 100% accurate. IF the salpingectomy is done solely for sterilization, we then hit a snag. The correct code should be 58611. However, since it is an add on, the carrier may deny since Dr. B is not billing another base code. In absence of official guidance for this, I would recommend billing the 58611, being fully aware you will likely need to appeal the claim along with records and explanation that a different physician performed the CS.
Dr. C would bill the assist for however Dr. B is billing, so either 58700-80 if disease process or 58611-80 if sterilization.

Another way to interpret your question is Dr A does a global CS independently. Dr. A then also removes the tubes, along with Dr. B assisting.
In that scenario,
Dr. A bills 59510. Again, knowing whether the salpingectomy is for sterilization or disease process is key. If sterilization, Dr. A also bills 58611. If disease process, then 58700.
Dr. B bills the assist for either 58611-80 (if salpingectomy for sterilization) OR 58700-80 (if salpingectomy for disease process).

SECOND PARAGRAPH:
You are asking about using -80 vs -81. There are various scenarios where one or the other is correct. If the assist is present during the entire procedure, AND the code allows for an assist, then -80 would be correct. If the assist is only present for a short period, AND the code allows for an assist, that is a perfect example of -81. You would need to make a judgment call if for example, the assist is there for 75% of the procedure.
Here is an old, but good previous posting regarding 80 vs 81 providing a reference from CPT assistant.

You also seem to be asking about what documentation is required to bill any assist. CMS basically states the op note must indicate who the assist was, and what was performed by the assistant. If the primary surgeon needs an assist, and the documentation of this exists in the op note, then I would not question the medical necessity of this. The documentation in the op note stating an assistant was required and what they did establishes the medical necessity for me. I also wouldn't question why or why not a clinician prescribes medication for a patient with high cholesterol.
In terms of coding, if the code permits an assist, and the documentation is there, then that is what you code.
You only need to establish more definitive medical necessity for surgery codes that have an indicator requiring this. For those procedures, the op note should indicate why an assist was required. In your original post, you reference a note stating patient was hypotensive and hemorrhaging. That would clearly indicate a medical necessity for another surgeon to assist.
My summary:
For codes that do not permit an assist under any circumstances, even if one was present, you would not code for the assist.
For codes that do permit an assist, the op note must indicate it was needed, who it was and what they did. You would code for the assist.
For codes that sometimes permit an assist, if the op note must indicate why, who and what, code for the assist.
Just like with any service, if the documentation is insufficient, query the provider. If the ultimate outcome is lack of documentation, then you should not code the service.

If this does not answer what you are asking, please clarify your question(s). I hope this helps!
 
When I am tasked with coding these surgeries--done by doctors in our practice--they often put Assist: Dr. B, (which was the case here), but when I read the op report Dr. B's help was not mentioned. I queried Dr. A and she said he did nothing except help in lifting the uterus from the patient. When I checked Dr. B's schedule, he had actually scheduled himself to be there while Dr. A did the surgery. This is what got me to thinking about using the -81 for him, but my other coder does not think it appropriate because he was actually standing there, waiting to help, versus being called in to help.
 
The op report should in some way indicate the work done by Dr. B. I have seen this documented very well. I have seen this documented very poorly.
I have not seen official guidance other than the op report should state who the assistant was and what the assistant did. How detailed that gets varies widely. In my opinion, at a minimum, it should state something like "Dr. B assisted throughout the procedure with positioning, providing access, controlling bleeding and instrumentation." WHENEVER POSSIBLE, it should be more detailed than that. Many times, you may wish the documentation was that good, even if still not ideal.
In your example, it could be something like:
"Dr. B. was present for the entire procedure and assisted in lifting the uterus in order to complete the procedure."
Just like with op notes themselves, there are certain minimum requirements per JCAHO. Some clinicians describe in detail every artery and vessel they ligated. Some just say "The vessels were skeletonized then ligated by electrosurgery."

Regarding whether your case would be -80 vs -81. My opinion is since the assist was there the entire procedure, I would use -80. I do certainly see the case for -81 since he did not participate in the entire procedure.
 
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