My physician assisted on a surgery. The codes billed out by the primary surgeon include a modifier 51 on the PRIMARY procedure. I questioned their use of mod 51 as I believe it will reduce payment on the prime procedure or will be kicked out as unable to process. I was told that their certified coder says they need to use the mod 51 on the prime procedure for reporting purposes to Medicare. What am I missing here?? Isn't this completely wrong?
Julie
Julie