Home | 6/5/2017 Issue | Article

Modifier 78 good for a return trip to the OR — but not the doctor’s office

Published Jun 5, 2017
Last Reviewed Jun 2, 2017

Question: Our patient had a mastectomy and developed a seroma in the post-operative period. We performed drainage of the seroma in the doctor’s office. Can we bill with modifier 78 (Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period)?

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