Wiki Assistant surgeries

[danilyn]

Hi!!

I was wondering if this scenario can be billed out...

Open heart surgery case

-Main surgeon bills out proper codes

-Assistant at surgery (other MD in the practice) bills for his assist portion -80 modifier

-Listed on the op report is 2ND Assist which is usually a PA.

My question is can i bill for 2 assistant surgeons???

Does anyone have documentation that supports this either way??

Thanks!!!

 

[RenaHall]

Check the operative note to determine if the PA has actually assisted in the entire service. I have found that there are times that an NPP often assists in only specific portions of a surgical procedure. The NPP will be billed as AS instead of -80. Unfortunately, I can not remember where I saw the documentation for billing for BOTH assistants, but it is out there somewhere. Hopefully, another coder will hop on htis thread and helpo both of us out.
Rena