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Question: A physician assistant (PA) assisted one of our surgeons during a surgery. The provider is billing 58571 for their services. Would I bill the PA as 58571-80 or 58571-AS? What鈥檚 the best modifier to use to report their work?

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Answer: For this situation, you would report 58571 (Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(s)) and then choose a modifier.

Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) would be appropriate for reporting the assistance of another MD or surgeon. However, in this situation, with a midlevel provider, you鈥檇 look to modifier AS (Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery). While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) accepts modifier AS for Medicare beneficiaries, you鈥檇 need to check with the respective commercial carrier鈥檚 guidelines to make sure you鈥檙e submitting claims per their preferences for reimbursement.

Rachel Dorrell, MA, MS, CPC-A, CPPM, Development Editor, AAPC