This modifier indicates the capacity in which the service provider is functioning. This is an explicit modifier, however if no role modifier is identified, the system will assume the service provider functioned as the surgeon.
The surgical assistant (SA) modifier may not be claimed with the following role modifiers by the same physician for the same service for the same patient during the same encounter. ASIC, MSURG2, MSRGN, MSRGP, SAQS, SSOS, SSCVT, SSST
The following modifiers are to be used when:
| Code: | Description: |
|---|---|
| ANE | ANESTHETIST Explicit The physician functions as the Anesthetist and is claiming the listed anesthetic benefit. |
| ANEST | ANESTHETIST TRC Explicit The physician functions as the Anesthetist and is claiming a benefit based on the duration of the anesthetic. |
| ASIC | ASSISTANCE INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST SECOND SURGEON Explicit The physician is an interventional cardiologist providing assistance at a percutaneous coronary angioplasty or percutaneous closure of ASD. |
| MSRGN | SECOND NEUROSURGEON MICROSURGERY Explicit A second neurosurgeon utilizing microsurgical technique to perform a specific surgical procedure. |
| MSRGP | SECOND PLASTIC SURGEON MICROSURGERY Explicit A second plastic surgeon utilizing microsurgical technique to perform a specific surgical procedure. |
| MSURG2 | 2ND MICROSURGERY Explicit A second surgical specialist utilizing microsurgical technique to perform a specific surgical procedure. |
| SA | SURGICAL ASSISTANT Explicit Service provider functions as a surgical assistant for a surgical procedure. This modifier may be claimed when hospital regulations or bylaws require an assistant for a particular surgical procedure. |
| SAQS | SURGICAL ASSISTANT QUALIFIED SECOND SURGEON Explicit A surgical specialist provides surgical assistance in unusual circumstances. This modifier may be claimed when the complexities of a particular surgical procedure on a particular patient require a second qualified, surgical specialist assisting. May only be billed when the surgery requires the assistance of a qualified surgeon who is currently in an active surgical practice. If the surgery does not require a qualified surgeon, the SA (Surgical Assistant) modifier should be used. |
| SOSS | SECOND ORAL SURGERY SURGEON Explicit A qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon functions as a second surgeon during complex oral and maxillofacial surgery. This modifier may be claimed when the second surgeon has actively participated in the planning for and performance of the procedure. Only the second oral and maxillofacial surgeon's surgical time may be claimed; time spent in planning the procedure may not be included in the claimed time. |
| SSCVT | SECOND SURGEON CARDIOVASCULAR OR THORACIC SURGEON Explicit A cardiovascular or thoracic surgeon functions as a second surgeon on a cardiovascular thoracic surgical team. Cl as s i f i c at i on: Publ i |
| SSOS | SECOND SURGEON ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON Explicit An orthopedic surgeon functions as a second surgeon during complex orthopedic surgery. This modifier may be claimed when the second surgeon has actively participated in the planning for and performance of the procedure. Only the second orthopedic surgeon's surgical time may be claimed; time spent in planning the procedure may not be included in the claimed time. May only be billed when the surgery requires the assistance of a qualified surgeon who is currently in an active surgical practice. If the surgery does not require a qualified surgeon, the SA (Surgical Assistant) modifier should be used. |
| SSPS | SECOND SURGEON PODIATRIC SURGEON Explicit A podiatric surgeon functions as a second surgeon during complex podiatric surgery. This modifier may be claimed when the second surgeon has actively participated in the planning for and performance of the procedure. Only the second podiatric surgeon's surgical time may be claimed; time spent in planning the procedure may not be included in the claimed time. |
| SSST | SECOND SURGEON SURGICAL TEAM Explicit A surgical specialist functions as a second surgeon of a second surgical team. |
| 2ANES | ANESTHETIST TRC 2 Explicit The physician functions as the Anesthetist and is claiming anesthetic time premium units based on the duration of the anesthetic. |
