How does modifier 62 affect reimbursement?

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How does modifier 62 affect reimbursement?
Modifier 62 will be added to claims for procedures designated as “co-surgeon allowed” when a
claim for the same procedure code with modifier 62 has been previously submitted and
processed for a different provider. Claims for more than one surgeon should have each
surgeon’s provider identification number.
The following situations are considered co-surgery:
 Two surgeons of different specialties working together to perform a specific procedure with
a single procedure code.
 Two surgeons of the same or different specialties simultaneously performing parts of the
procedure (e.g., heart transplant).
 Two surgeons simultaneously performing the same or similar procedure(s) on bilateral body
parts, which shortens the total anesthesia time required for one surgeon to perform the
same set of bilateral procedures consecutively (e.g., bilateral knee replacements).

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The following situation is not considered co-surgery:
 One or more surgeons of different specialties who each perform different, specific CPT
codes which are not billed by the other surgeon, even if performed through the same
incision.
 In this situation, each surgeon may be reimbursed for a primary procedure and
multiple surgery discounts only apply to the procedures billed by each surgeon.
Codes Eligible for Co-Surgeon modifier 62
For claims processed on or after July 1, 2018 (regardless of the date of service):
 Procedure codes with a co-surgeon indicator of “0” on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
(MPFSDB) are not eligible to be performed as co-surgery and will be denied if submitted
with modifier 62 appended.
 Procedure codes with a co-surgeon indicator of “1” on the MPFSDB require submission of
supporting documentation for review to establish the medical necessity of two surgeons for
the procedure.
 Procedure codes with a co-surgeon indicator of “2” on the MPFSDB are considered eligible
for modifier 62 (co-surgery) if the two surgeons are of different specialties.
o Two surgeons of the same specialty may also be appropriate in some instances, e.g. heart
transplant or bilateral knee replacements.
o 33361-33369 cardiac transthoracic aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and implantation
(TAVI).
 CPT guidelines for procedure codes 33361-33369 state that TAVR/TAVI procedures
require two physicians; all components must be reported with modifier 62.
 Procedure codes 33361-33369 will be denied if submitted without modifier 62
appended.
o Procedure codes with a co-surgeon indicator of “9” on the MPFSDB are not eligible for
modifier 62; the co-surgeon concept does not apply. These procedure codes will be
denied if submitted with modifier 62 appended.

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Billing and Coding Requirements
For the procedures performed as co-surgery, both co-surgeons are expected to bill the exact
same combination of procedure codes with modifier 62 appended. Additional procedures
performed in the same operative session may be reported as primary surgeon or assistant
surgeon.
Billing discrepancies
Any discrepancy in procedure codes reported with modifier 62 between the two cosurgeon’s
claims causes both claims to require additional investigation and delay of processing.
Example # 1:
Surgeon A:
 22554-62 (anterior cervical fusion)
 22585-62 (additional level)
Surgeon B:
 22600-62 (posterior cervical fusion)
 22614-62 (additional level)
If a claim is received with modifier 62 appended after another claim for that procedure has
been processed and released as the primary surgeon (on a claim without modifier 62
appended), the subsequent claim with modifier 62 appended is denied.
 If one surgeon reports as the primary surgeon and a second surgeon reports as a cosurgeon
for the same procedure codes and neither claim has been released, both claims will be
pended and a non-clean-claim review is triggered. Review of medical records (operative
report(s)) may be required. Corrected claim(s) will be required so that both surgeon’s claims
agree about whether or not co-surgery modifier 62 applies.

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Resources:
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How does modifier 62 affect reimbursement?

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