Modifier 78

Can modifier 78 be used for a surgery that was performed in an office?

re: Modifier 78

My two cents, I do not append mod -78 for a service performed in the office.

re: Modifier 78

When an unplanned return to the operating or procedure room is needed during the postoperative global period, modifier -78 must be appended to the appropriate surgical code(s) to avoid denial of the service per global period policy guidelines.

Modifier -78 is only valid when billed with surgical codes and the procedure is performed within the global period of the initial procedure.

Modifier -78 is only valid when the return to the operating room is for a procedure that is related to the initial procedure and the provider is the same physician who performed the initial procedure.
It is possible to return a patient to an OR or procedure room. Because the use of Modifier 78 is not limited to inpatient procedures, the phrase “procedure room” was added to the definition in 2008. Medicare only reimburses for complications treated in an operating room, which it defines as follows:

“a place specifically equipped and staffed for the sole purpose of performing procedures. The term operating room includes a cardiac catheterization suite, a laser suite and an endoscopy suite. This does not include a patient room, a minor treatment room, a recovery room or an intensive care unit (unless the patient’s condition was so critical there would be insufficient time for transportation to an operating room.”