Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Check global period for initial procedure and reason for second procedure.You may be leaving payment on the table for your surgeon's work if you do not append the correct modifiers for postoperative period procedures. Read on for guidance on how different modifiers can impact global period calculations and your reimbursement. Know the Common Postoperative ModifiersBelow are the two important modifiers you will append for the procedures your surgeon does in the postoperative period of another. 58 -- Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period 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 periodNote: The descriptors of both the modifiers share common terminologies like "related procedure" and "during the postoperative period." You will need to understand what relation is implied by each of the two modifiers. [...]