Wiki Modifier 58 - If a patient has

[nlbarnes]

TGIF ya'll!

If a patient has 19125-RT , excision of RT breast lesion on 04/15/16 & path comes back + invasive CA w/ ductal lobular features, and the doc goes back on 05/05/16 & performs an excision of sentinal lymph node, 38525-RT, would you use 58, 78, or 79?

I'm going with 58 but I have opposition to this and I haven't done alot of breast cancer stuff & thought maybe dx in breast cancer makes a different modifier determination.

Thanks!

 

[CodingKing]

Modifier 58 for the physician. Its considered a staged procedure as its always anticipated at the time of a biopsy that if it came back positive there may be a need for further surgical intervention.

It would not be 78 as that is for complications that require return to OR such as infection or excessive post procedural bleeding

Its also not 79 as that means unrelated such as fracturing leg and then later getting a colles' fracture because you fell when on crutches.


Here is a good write up

http://www.physicianspractice.com/pearl/understanding-modifiers-58-78-79

 

[nlbarnes]

Modifier 58

Thanks so much!

 

[jabarb]

Can a modifier 58 be used for a PA?