CPC CPT Modifiers & Special Coding Situations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the global surgery package period for a major surgical procedure?
- 0 days
- 10 days
- 30 days
- 90 days (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 90 days
Major surgical procedures have a 90-day global period that includes all normal post-operative care before and after the surgery.
Question 2: Modifier -79 is used to identify a procedure performed during the post-operative period that is:
- Related to the original procedure
- Unrelated to the original procedure (Correct answer)
- A staged procedure
- A repeat procedure by the same physician
Correct answer: Unrelated to the original procedure
Modifier -79 indicates an unrelated procedure or service performed by the same physician during the post-operative period.
Question 3: When a procedure is performed a second time by the same physician due to a complication, which modifier is used?
- -76 (Correct answer)
- -77
- -78
- -79
Correct answer: -76
Modifier -76 is used when the same physician repeats a procedure or service on the same day or during the post-operative period.
Question 4: Modifier -22 is used when a procedure requires:
- Less work than usual
- Substantially more work than typically required (Correct answer)
- Work performed by two physicians
- Unusual anesthesia circumstances
Correct answer: Substantially more work than typically required
Modifier -22 indicates unusual procedural services where the work is substantially greater than typically required, and additional documentation must support the modifier.
Question 5: The -RT and -LT modifiers are used to indicate:
- Real-time and laboratory test services
- Right side and left side of the body (Correct answer)
- Revised treatment and long-term treatment
- Regular time and late-evening services
Correct answer: Right side and left side of the body
Modifiers -RT and -LT indicate the right and left sides of the body respectively, used for procedures performed on paired anatomical structures.
Question 6: Which modifier indicates that a procedure was performed by an assistant surgeon?
- -62
- -66
- -80 (Correct answer)
- -81
Correct answer: -80
Modifier -80 indicates assistant surgeon services; the assistant surgeon appends this to the primary procedure code.
CPC CPT Modifiers & Special Coding Situations 2
What is the global surgery package period for a major surgical procedure?