decisionhealth Newsletters, Answer Books - 2010 Issue 9 (September)
Modifiers -58, -78 and -79 / Post-op complications A closer look
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Article Overview
This premium coding article reviews postoperative modifier use within the global period and focuses on situations involving complications, related follow-up care, and unrelated procedures. It is aimed at coders and billing staff who need a general understanding of when postoperative return visits and additional procedures may fall into different modifier categories. The article presents broad guidance for evaluating the circumstances around postoperative care without turning into a substitute for the full coding discussion.
Why This Topic Matters
Incorrect modifier selection can affect how postoperative services are interpreted and processed. This topic matters because coders must distinguish among different kinds of postoperative care when a patient returns after surgery.
What You Will Learn
- How postoperative services are discussed in the context of the global period
- How complication-related return care is distinguished at a broad level
- Why additional information from the physician may be needed to classify postoperative care
- General considerations for separating related and unrelated postoperative services
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Coding auditors
Modifiers Discussed
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