Wiki resident as second assist

[kathydaniel]

I have a physician who did spine surgery with his PA as his first assistant. He had a resident as a second assistant. The surgeon dictated this information. For billing purposes would we just bill the PA with the AS modifier as if they were the only assistant?

Thanks!

 

[lindacoder]

that's how I would do it since you can't charge for the resident. Same would be said if the PA had not assisted and the resident did - you could not bill for an assist of the resident.

 

[jettagirlfl]

Yes, I agree

 

[FTessaBartels]

Teaching Hospital

If you are in a teaching hospital the surgeon's dictation MUST specify that there was no qualified resident available and therefore the PA was his assist. Otherwise, the PA assist is not billable to any government payer.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC