
What is difference between modifier 58 and 78?
Usually, modifier 58 is a staged or related surgical procedure that a physician performs during a time during which they treat the patient first. Upon billing staged procedures, a new postoperative period is triggered. Can Modifier 58 Be Used In The Office? Modifier 78 requires a return to the operating room or endoscopy suite.
What is a 79 modifier?
Modifier 79 is used to indicate that the service is an unrelated procedure that was performed by the same physician during a post-operative period. Modifier 79 is a pricing modifier and should be reported in the first position. A new post-operative period begins when the unrelated procedure is billed.
What is one fourth of 78?
The fourth value in the data set is the score 78. This means that 78 marks the 20th percentile; of the students in the class, 20 percent earned a score of 78 or lower. ... One-fourth is equal to 25 percent, so the first quartile marks the 25th percentile. The third quartile marks the 75th percentile. Besides quartiles, a fairly common way to ...
What are factors for 78?
What are the factors of 78?
- Factors of – 78. As – 6 and – 13 are negative factors, because you get a positive number by multiplying two negatives, like (- 6) × (- 13) = ...
- All factors of 78. Here is a list of all the positive and negative factors of 78 in numerical order.
- Factor of 78 in pairs. What are the factor pairs of 78?
- Prime Factors of 78

What is the reimbursement for modifier 78?
Reimbursement for services appended with Modifier 78 will be adjusted to 75% of the provider's applicable Fee Schedule allowed amount.
What is the difference between modifier 78 and 79?
Modifier 78 Definition: “Unplanned return to the operating or procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the post-operative period.” Modifier 79 Definition: “Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during a post-operative period.”
What is a requirement for reporting modifier 78?
Modifier 78 must be appended when the return to the operating room is for a procedure that is related to the initial procedure, occurs in the global period of that initial procedure, the provider is the same for both procedures, and the return procedure is assigned global days of MMM, 000, 010 or 090 in the CMS ...
Which modifier goes first 78 or 59?
guidelines: order of modifiers If you have two pricing modifiers, the most common scenario is likely to involve 26 and another modifier. Always add 26 before any other modifier. If you have two payment modifiers, a common one is 51 and 59, enter 59 in the first position. If 51 and 78, enter 78 in the first position.
Can you use modifier 78 in the office?
Modifier 78 is not appropriate for use with a place of service 11 (office). Our health plan utilizes the CMS intra-operative percentages in determining reimbursement amounts for modifier 78.
Which modifier goes first 79 or RT?
Note the use of modifiers RT to indicate the right eye in the initial procedure, and LT to indicate the left eye in the subsequent procedure. The “paying” modifier, or the modifier that may affect payment (in this case, modifier 79), is listed before the HCPCS anatomical, or “informational” modifier.
Can modifier as and 78 be billed together?
CPT modifiers 50 and 78 cannot be submitted for the same service. Instead, submit the surgery procedure code with CPT modifier 78 and HCPCS modifier RT on one detail line, and submit the same surgery procedure code with CPT modifier 78 and HCPCS modifier LT on a separate detail line.
Does Medicare pay for modifier 78?
Amerigroup Medicare Advantage allows reimbursement for claims billed with Modifier 78 unless provider, federal or CMS contracts Page 2 and/or requirements indicate otherwise, when the following criteria are met: • The return to the operating or procedure room is unplanned.
Does modifier 78 reset the global period?
Modifier 78 is only appended during the global period; it does not restart the global period and, as a result, the surgeon expects a reduction in reimbursement for the subsequent procedure.
What is a 59 modifier used for?
Modifier 59 should be used to distinguish a different session or patient encounter, or a different procedure or surgery, or a different anatomical site, or a separate injury. It should also be used when an intravenous (IV) protocol calls for two separate IV sites.
Which modifier should be listed first?
CPT modifiers are added to the end of a CPT code with a hyphen. In the case of more than one modifier, you code the “functional” modifier first, and the “informational” modifier second.
Can you bill modifier 59 and 51 together?
Never use both modifier 51 and 59 on a single procedure code. If there is a second location procedure (such as a HCPCS code for right or left), use the CPT® modifier first.
What is the 79 modifier used for?
Modifier 79 is defined by CPT as an “unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period.” Essentially, it's the modifier you'll need to use when a provider has performed two unrelated procedures within the same day, and/or when the second procedure is performed within the global period ...
Can you use modifier 78 and 79 together?
Modifiers 58, 78, and 79 are mutually exclusive to one another; only one of these modifiers may apply to a service or procedure performed within a postoperative global period.
Does modifier 79 reset the global period?
Modifier –79 reimburses the surgeon based on 100 percent of the allowed amount and restarts the global period (as long as it exceeds the first global period).
Does the global period start over with modifier 79?
Modifier 79 is only appended during the global period of an initial unrelated procedure. Because modifier 79 is unrelated, 100 percent reimbursement is expected and overlapping global periods are created.
What is modifier 78?
If the same provider returns a patient to the operating room (OR) during the global period of a previous procedure to treat a complication of that earlier surgery, append modifier 78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period to the CPT® code describing the follow-up procedure.
What is a related procedure in modifier 78?
The term “related procedure” in the modifier 78 descriptor means the follow-up procedure is related to the original surgery, not to the underlying condition that prompted the original surgery. That is, the diagnosis linked to the follow-up procedure will describe a new condition (i.e., a complication of surgery) that will differ from ...
What happens when you append modifier 79 to a claim?
When you append modifier 79 to a claim, a new global period begins and the subsequent procedure is paid at 100 percent of the allowed amount, as determined by the carrier. For example, a patient undergoes a total abdominal hysterectomy on April 10.
Does modifier 78 have to be returned to the OR?
To append modifier 78 appropriately, the patient must be returned to the OR. This is especially important for Medicare beneficiaries. If the provider is able to treat the complication without a return to the OR, Medicare will bundle the treatment into the initial procedure’s global surgical package. The Medicare Claims Processing Manual, chapter 12, specifies, “… the global surgical package includes all medical and surgical services required of the surgeon during the postoperative period of the surgery to treat complications that do not require return to the operating room.”
Is modifier 58 a modifier 78?
In some cases, modifier 58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period, rather than modifier 78, may properly describe a return to the OR during the global period. CMS policy (Medicare Claims Processing Manual, chapter 12, section 40.1.B) states, “If a less extensive procedure fails, and a more extensive procedure is required, the second procedure is payable separately.” In such a case, modifier 58 is appropriate.
Does modifier 78 reset global days?
Modifier 78 does not reset global days from the previous surgery; and, typically, you do not receive full reimbursement for the surgery to treat the complication. Many insurers reimburse only the intra-operative portion of the usual fee schedule payment (approximately 80 percent of the total). Differentiate 78 from 58, 79.
Does modifier 78 include a recovery room?
It does not include a patient’s room, a minor treatment room, a recovery room, or an intensive care unit (unless the patient’s condition was so critical there would be insufficient time for transportation to an OR).”. To append modifier 78 appropriately, the patient must be returned to the OR.
When to use modifier for postoperative?
Submit this modifier to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure) when the subsequent procedure is related to the first and requires the use of an operating or procedure room.
What is 090 in surgery?
090 = Major surgery with a one-day preoperative period and 90-day postoperative period included in the fee schedule payment amount
What is ZZZ code?
ZZZ = Code is related to another service ('add-on' code) and is always included in the global period of the other service
How many days are procedures on MPFSDB?
Procedure codes that have 10 or 90 global days on the MPFSDB are paid at the intra-operative percentage displayed on the MPFSDB. The procedure's fee schedule amount is multiplied by the percentage and rounded to the nearest cent.
How to determine global period of surgery?
To determine the global period of a surgery, refer to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule database (MPFSDB).
Is E/M payable separately?
E/M services on the same day as a procedure with 0 or 10 global days are generally not payable separately from the procedure. For additional information, please refer to CPT modifier 25
Can you use modifier 50 and 78 for bilateral surgery?
If a (subsequent) bilateral procedure requires a return to the operating room after the initial surgery and the Bilateral Indicator in the MPFSDB is 1 or, do not submit CPT modifier 50. CPT modifiers 50 and 78 cannot be submitted for the same service. Instead, submit the surgery procedure code with CPT modifier 78 and HCPCS modifier RT on one detail line, and submit the same surgery procedure code with CPT modifier 78 and HCPCS modifier LT on a separate detail line.
What is a 78 modifier?
The “-78” modifier is typically associated with a complication that resulted from a previous procedure. By definition, there must be evidence of a return to the operating room. That reanytime in a 10- or 90-day global period (although if the same procedure is repeated on the same day, because of a complication, use a “-76” [repeat procedure modifier]). Medicare describes an “operating room” to include a typical operating room and endoscopy suite. It would not include an office treatment room, minor treatment room, patient’s room, ICU, or recovery room. Non-Medicare payers may be more lenient in their operating room requirements (check with individual payers regarding their definition of “operating room” as it relates to the “-78” modifier). In all cases, there needs to be clear evidence of medical necessity for the return to the operating room.
What is Medicare modifier 78?
Medicare’s instructions for modifiers 78 and 79 in hospital ASC or hospital outpatient facilities include in the definition procedures requiring a “return to the operating room on the same day.”. Use modifier 78 for a procedure related to the initial procedure on the same day and modifier 79 for a procedure on the same day ...
What is the modifier for postoperative care?
A physician who is responsible for postoperative care and has reported and been paid using modifier “- 55” also uses modifier “-24” to report any unrelated visits.
What is the CPT code for return trips?
In addition to the CPT code, physicians use CPT modifier “-78” for these return trips (return to the operating room for a related procedure during a postoperative period.) The physician may also need to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure.
What is the CPT code for a return trip to the operating room?
If no such code exists, use the unspecified procedure code in the correct series, i.e., 47999 or 64999. The procedure code for theoriginal surgery is not used except when the identical procedure is repeated. In addition to the CPT code, physicians use CPT modifier “-78” for these return trips (return to the operating room for a related procedure during a postoperative period.)
What modifier is used for a second skin lesion?
During the initial surgery performed by this provider, a variety of procedures are performed on multiple skin lesions in multiple locations during the same surgical session. Neither modifier 78 nor modifier 79 should be attached to the procedure codes for the second and third lesions treated. Treatment of a second, separate lesion is correctly identified with the Distinct Procedural Service modifier (-59).
What modifier is used for a more extensive procedure?
If a more extensive procedure is needed to be performed, not because of any performance issues, but failure of the original procedure to achieve its desired result, a “-58” modifier would be applied.
What is modifier 78?
In contrast to Modifier 58 (which involves a planned return to the OR), you should append modifier 78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period when treatment for complications requires a return to the operating or procedure room. In other words, the subsequent procedure represents an unintended outcome of the previous surgery. Examples include a post-surgical infection, debridement that requires a return to the OR, and hemorrhage after surgery.#N#Modifier 78 does not reset global days from the previous surgery, so the procedure usually is not reimbursed at 100 percent of the allowed amount (depending on the carrier’s guidelines). Some carriers reimburse only the intra-operative portion of the fee scheduled payment (usually 70-90 percent of the total). When applying modifier 78, the diagnosis is usually different for each procedure.#N#For example, on May 1 the patient undergoes a partial colectomy (90-day global period). On May 8, the patient is returned to the OR for treatment of partial dehiscence of the incision with secondary suturing of the abdominal wall.#N#Appropriate coding is:#N#May 1: 44140 Colectomy, partial; with anastomosis with 153.3 Malignant neoplasm of colon; sigmoid colon.#N#May 14: 49900-78 Suture, secondary, of abdominal wall for evisceration or dehiscence with 998.32 Other complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified; disruption of external operation (surgical) wound.#N#Note the use of different diagnoses.
When to use modifier 58?
Modifier 58 may be used during the global surgical period for the original procedure only. It may not be used for staged procedures when the code description indicates “one or more visits” or “one or more sessions.”. Note that Medicare requires a return to the operating room (OR) to apply modifier 58, “unless the patient’s condition was so critical ...
What is a modifier in medical coding?
The modifier is critical to telling the story of your medical coding claim. Just as words with similar definitions convey distinct meanings (“plan” versus “scheme,” for instance), so do modifiers with similar descriptors. We’ll discuss three that require precise application: modifiers 58, 78, and 79.
What modifiers are used to indicate the right eye?
Note the use of modifiers RT to indicate the right eye in the initial procedure, and LT to indicate the left eye in the subsequent procedure. The “paying” modifier, or the modifier that may affect payment (in this case, modifier 79), is listed before the HCPCS anatomical, or “informational” modifier.
Does modifier 78 reset global days?
Modifier 78 does not reset global days from the previous surgery, so the procedure usually is not reimbursed at 100 percent of the allowed amount (depending on the carrier’s guidelines). Some carriers reimburse only the intra-operative portion of the fee scheduled payment (usually 70-90 percent of the total).
Can you append modifier 79 to a subsequent surgery?
In this instance, the diagnosis codes are different. You may also append modifier 79 to a subsequent surgery using the same diagnosis code.
What is modifier 58?
The global period restarts whenever the modifier 58 is used. One way you can determine that the modifier 58 applies is that the surgeon is treating the same problem that the original surgery was treating.#N#For example, a patient was admitted to the hospital with gangrenous toes and vascular insufficiency. The surgeon does a vascular bypass in addition to debriding the toes to return vascular flow to the foot. 30-days post op, the patient’s toes are still gangrenous, and it appears that the vascular bypass did not take. Although repeated debridements were performed in the global period, the toes continue to deteriorate. It is finally decided at 40 days post-op that the foot needs to be amputated. The amputation, which is more radical than the conservative vascular bypass is coded with a modifier 58. The debridements done during the global period of the vascular bypass are also billed with a modifier 58 because the bypass had not yet achieved the desired outcome and the debridements were needed.
Why is modifier 58 important?
Because the patient is usually in the surgical global period when it is identified that the conservative approach did not achieve the desired outcome, the modifier 58 enables the surgeon to be paid when she must go back into surgery and do a more radical procedure than was initially performed.
Why is vascular bypass billed with modifier 58?
The debridements done during the global period of the vascular bypass are also billed with a modifier 58 because the bypass had not yet achieved the desired outcome and the debridements were needed.
What is modifier 58?
When modifier 58 is used, the staged relationship to the original surgery must be documented in the medical record. This does not necessarily mean that the final decision to perform the subsequent surgery or the date it will be performed is known at the time of the original surgery. “Decisions to perform subsequent procedure(s) may depend on the outcome of the surgery and the patient's postoperative status. The term anticipated was added [to the description for modifier 58] because physicians can anticipate the potential for subsequent procedure(s) but cannot always predict it.” (CPT Assistant1)
What is a modifier in medical terms?
Modifiers are two-character suffixes (alpha and/or numeric) that are attached to a procedure code. CPT modifiers are defined by the American Medical Association (AMA). HCPCS Level II modifiers are defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Like CPT codes, the use of modifiers requires explicit understanding of the purpose of each modifier.
