AMA CPT® Assistant - 1997 Issue 12 (December)
Modifier -51 (Q&A) (December 1997)
December 1997 page 10c Coding Consultation Modifier -51 (Q&A) Question My physician performed a transposition flap of a leg ulcer during the same operative episode with another physician who performed an eye procedure. Both procedures were performed under the same general anesthesia. Each physician performed their own individual services and neither acted as assistant surgeon during the operative episode. What modifier should I use to describe my physician's services? AMA Comment From a CPT coding perspective, there is no CPT modifier to describe this circumstance. Each physician would report the appropriate CPT procedure code(s) to accurately describe the...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article is a brief CPT coding consultation focused on a multi-physician operative scenario and the general question of whether a modifier is appropriate. It is aimed at coders and billing staff who need to understand the scope of the discussion, including related references to diagnosis reporting and same-day procedure coding concepts.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers determine whether the article is relevant to questions about modifier use when more than one physician performs separate services during the same operative episode.
Article Sections
-
December 1997 page 10c
Publication placement and context for the coding consultation.
-
Coding Consultation
The article presents a question-and-comment format about a same-episode operative situation and general CPT/diagnosis reporting context.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames a multi-physician operative episode in CPT coding terms
- What general coding topics are discussed in relation to same-day procedures
- How the article situates the issue within coding consultation format
- What related documentation categories are referenced in the discussion
Who Should Read This
- CPT coders
- Medical billing staff
- Coding auditors
- Physician practice administrators
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com
