Here is a couple of things from the payers:
This is BCBS
Modifier 56 – Preoperative Management Only
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Modifier 56 is reported when one physician performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another physician performed the surgical procedure. Modifier 56 is appended to the surgical code. The physician is paid a portion of the global package.
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Modifiers 56 should only be appended to the surgical procedure codes.
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Procedure codes with modifier 56 appended will price at 15% of the allowable charge.
This is Regents
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designate which procedure codes are valid for use with “split-care” modifiers -54, -55 and -56. The Regence Group (TRG) utilizes these CMS designations in determining procedure code/modifier combinations that are valid for TRG use. In the absence of a CMS modifier -54, 55 and/or 56 indicator, TRG may establish a modifier -54, 55 and/or 56 designation.
The total reimbursement for a surgical procedure is the same regardless of how the billing is split between the different providers involved in the patients care.
Correct coding guidelines require that when the components of a global surgical package are performed by different physicians, the same surgical procedure code (with the appropriate modifier) be used by each physician to identify the services provided. The intra-operative and post-operative services should be billed with the date of the surgery as the date of service.
A surgeon performing only the surgical component of a global surgical package (with another physician providing the postoperative care) must attach modifier -54 to the surgical procedure code.
A physician providing only the postoperative component of a global surgical package (with another physician
performing the surgical procedure) must attach modifier -55 to the surgical procedure code. An E&M visit code is not appropriate to use in this situation.
A physician providing only the preoperative evaluation component of a global surgical package (with another physician performing the surgical procedure and postoperative care) must attach modifier -56 to the surgical procedure code. An E&M visit code is not appropriate to use in this situation.
Just to give you another side of the story.
Also the 2009 modifier guide from CMS
www.medicarenhic.com/providers/pubs/Modifiers Guide.pdf