JUL 24, 2018
Payment for Usage of Modifiers -62 or -80
Question: Is there a reduction in payment if an assistant-at surgery is used versus a co-surgeon?
Answer: Yes. When billing for an assistant-at surgery, modifier -80, payment for the assistant is at 16 percent of the allowable. When two surgeons perform key portions of the same surgery and billing with modifier -62, payment is 62.5 percent of the allowable to each surgeon. Payers have a very short list of CPT codes that cover an assistant or co-surgeon.
Learn more about modifiers in our 1-Hour Coding Course: Modifiers Made Easy – Your Guide to Correct Coverage.