Assist Surgeons

If more than one assistant surgeon is used to perform a surgery can both of these surgeons bill for the service as assistants using the 80 modifier? They were not assisting at the same time, one surgeon assisted for a short amount of time at the start of the procedure, the second assistant sugeon took over for the first and assisted for a large part of the procedure and for the closing of the procedure. Also, should the OP report list both surgeons as assistants?

2nd assist

Some surgical procedures require a primary surgeon and an assistant surgeon. CMS has identified those surgical procedures for which an assistant surgeon may be reimbursed. Payment will not be made for the services of assistants at surgery furnished in a teaching hospital which has a training program related to the medical specialty required for the surgical procedure and has a qualified resident available to perform the service.
Payment for an assistant surgeon is limited to 16% of the fee schedule amount for the surgical procedure. The Limiting Charge is 115% of the assistant surgeon's fee schedule amount.
Services for an assistant-at-surgery must be reported with one of the following modifiers as appropriate to the situation.
Modifier 80 - This modifier is reported when the services are performed in a non-teaching setting or in a teaching setting when a resident was available but the surgeon opted not to use the resident. In the latter case the service is generally not covered by Medicare unless the following circumstances exist and are reported on the claim form:
the primary surgeon has an across-the-board policy of never involving residents in the preoperative, operative, or post operative care of his/her patients.
exceptional medical circumstances existed, e.g. emergency, life-threatening situations such as multiple traumatic injuries requiring immediate treatment.
Modifier 81 - Minimum Assistant Surgeon: Minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number. (ex, assisted less than the majority of case).
Modifier 82 - This modifier is reported when there is no qualified resident surgeon available or when the services are performed in a teaching hospital that does not have an approved training program related to the medical specialty required for the surgical procedure.

2nd assist

Thank heavens for Nancy! I am grateful every day for her expertise.

assistant at surgery

Do you have a refference?
and case and point examples:
like example : May 3 bill:
1. Primary Surgeon bills 22600 modifier 80 AS ( other assisting MD & PA)
Assisting MD bills 22600 modifier 80 for the Assist ( documentes services)
PA- doesn't bill.

2. Primary Surgeon is the only one who documents and only one billing:
22600 80 AS

Do you have some actually examples of AS and 80, 81 billing?

Thanks Katie