PA assisted surgery code

[melissamiller]

I'm billing and coding for an ortho doctor who has a PA who assists him in surgeries, what code do I use for that? Someone said I use the same code for the doctor but with a modifier, is that true?

 

[scooter1]

Same code w/ AS modifier

 

[moodymom]

The modifier is carrier specific. Medicare likes as,80. However some commercial insurance use 80. And yes with the same code as primary surgeon. Hope this helps.

 

[maryawinfield04]

I use modifier 82 (pa when a resident isn't available) since i bill for a teaching hospital and i would think you would use modifier 80 and like moodymom it is carrier specific. I have a question would you happen to know how to bill for a second asst? My pa was the 2nd asst on a procedure, i looked into modifier 62 but the pa isn't acting as a primary surgeon?

Any advice would help