What does modifier 79 indicate?

Modifier 79 is used to indicate that the service is an unrelated procedure that was performed by the same physician during a post-operative period. Modifier 79 is a pricing modifier and should be reported in the first position.

What is the difference between modifier 24 and 79?

Modifier 24 is unrelated E/M service by same Dr. during a postop period. Modifier 79 is unrelated procedure or service by the same Dr. during the postop period.

Does modifier 79 affect payment?

There is no payment reduction for modifier 79 usage, so you should be paid at the full fee schedule amount.

Does Medicare use modifier 79?

In some cases (although seldom) the second surgery performed is inadvertently submitted to Medicare and paid before the first surgery is submitted to Medicare. In this situation, the CPT modifier 79 must be submitted with the first surgery performed.

Does modifier 79 restart the global period?

Modifier –79 reimburses the surgeon based on 100 percent of the allowed amount and restarts the global period (as long as it exceeds the first global period).

What is the difference between modifier 78 and 79?

Modifier 78 Definition: “Unplanned return to the operating or procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the post-operative period.” Modifier 79 Definition: “Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during a post-operative period.”

Can modifier 79 be used in an office setting?

The distinguishing and crucial difference between modifier 78 and modifier 79, Modifier 78 for a related procedure; modifier 79 for an unrelated procedure. Modifier 78 can be appended only if procedure is in an operating room; modifier 79 does not require that the service/procedure be performed in an operating room.

When modifier 78 is used on a Medicare claim what portion of the surgery will Medicare pay?

Modifier 78 reduces reimbursement to the intra-operative portion, according to the payor’s fee schedule.

What modifier do I use for global period?

Modifier 58 is appended to a subsequent staged, anticipated, or more extensive surgical procedure during the global period. This modifier typically is appended to a subsequent surgical procedure when the disease process requires additional surgical intervention for management of the entire condition.

Can modifier 79 be used for anesthesia?

To append a modifier 79 to a surgical procedure, the procedure is typically at a different anatomic location to support the unrelated component. 2. A patient is scheduled for manipulation under anesthesia for arthrofibrosis during the postoperative period for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Can you use modifier 78 and 79 together?

Modifiers 58, 78, and 79 are mutually exclusive to one another; only one of these modifiers may apply to a service or procedure performed within a postoperative global period.