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MO HealthNet Internet Provider Training ProgramPresented by the Provider Education UnitMO HealthNet DivisionMO HealthNet Division1

ASSISTANT SURGEONS AND RELATED POST-OPERATIVE CAREPresented by the Provider Education UnitMO HealthNet DivisionMO HealthNet Division2

Information regarding assistant surgeons can be found in Section 13.41 of the Physician Provider Manual. To access the manual go to the MHD Public Web site: www.dss.mo.gov/mhd/providers/index.htm. In the left hand column, scroll down and click on Provider Manuals.MO HealthNet Division3

The services of an assistant surgeon are billed with modifier 80.Only one assistant surgeon can be paid for those procedures that warrant an assistant.An assistant surgeons fee is reimbursable at 20% of the surgeons fee for the surgical procedure.

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The services of an assistant surgeon are billed with modifier 80.Only one assistant surgeon can be paid for those procedures that warrant an assistant.An assistant surgeons fee is reimbursable at 20% of the surgeons fee for the surgical procedure.

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The services of an assistant surgeon are billed with modifier 80.Only one assistant surgeon can be paid for those procedures that warrant an assistant.An assistant surgeons fee is reimbursable at 20% of the surgeons fee for the surgical procedure.

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If the surgeons claim is systematically priced, the assistant surgeons claim is also systematically priced.

If the surgeons claim is manually priced, the assistant surgeons claim is also manually priced, and an operative report must be attached to the paper claim for payment.MO HealthNet Division7

If the surgeons claim is systematically priced, the assistant surgeons claim is also systemically priced.

If the surgeons claim is manually priced, the assistant surgeons claim is also manually priced, and an operative report must be attached to the paper claim for reimbursement.MO HealthNet Division8

MO HealthNet does not reimburse for theservices of an assistant surgeon when a co-surgeon is used.MO HealthNet Division9

Registered nurses and other non-physician personnel are ancillary staff and not considered assistant surgeons or assistants at surgeryand services performed by them are, therefore, not billable to MO HealthNet as a separate service.MO HealthNet Division10

Follow-up care provided by the assistant surgeon is subject to the 30-day postoperative policy as described in Section 13.41 of the Physician Manual.MO HealthNet Division11

Postoperative CarePostoperative care includes 30 days of routine follow-up for those surgical or diagnostic procedures having a MO HealthNet reimbursement amount of $75.00 or more. For counting purposes, the date of surgery is the first day.MO HealthNet Division12

Postoperative Care (continued)This policy applies whether the procedure was performed in the hospital, ambulatory surgical center or an office setting, and applies to subsequent physician visits.

Pain management is considered part of postoperative care. Visits for the purpose of postoperative pain control are not separately reimbursable.MO HealthNet Division13

Postoperative Care (continued)This policy applies whether the procedure was performed in the hospital, ambulatory surgical center or an office setting, and applies to subsequent physician visits.

Pain management is considered part of postoperative care. Visits for the purpose of postoperative pain control are not separately reimbursable.MO HealthNet Division14

Postoperative Care (continued)Supplies necessary for providing the follow-up care in the office, such as splints, casts and surgical dressings in connection with covered surgical procedures that meet the postoperative care policy, may be billed under the appropriate supply code. Attach an invoice if applicable.MO HealthNet Division15

Exceptions to Post-operative CareServices that are exceptions to the postoperative care policy may be reimbursed for complications or extenuating circumstances that have been documented and determined to be exempt by the state medical consultant.In addition, the following services are exempt from the postoperative policy limitations:

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Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)Exceptions to the postoperative care policy may be reimbursed for complications or extenuating circumstances that have been documented and determined to be exempt by the state medical consultant.In addition, the following services are exempt from the postoperative policy limitations:

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Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)Initial hospital visits to allow payment for physician services when a patient is admitted to the hospital on the same day of service as a surgery.ConsultationsRenal dialysis codes.Physician services provided prior to the date of surgery.MO HealthNet Division18

Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)Initial Hospital visits to allow payment for physician services when a patient is admitted to the hospital on the same day of service as a surgery.Consultations.Renal dialysis codes.Physician services provided prior to the date of surgery.MO HealthNet Division19

Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)Initial Hospital visits to allow payment for physician services when a patient is admitted to the hospital on the same day of service as a surgery.Consultations.Renal dialysis codes.Physician services provided prior to the date of surgery.MO HealthNet Division20

Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)Initial Hospital visits to allow payment for physician services when a patient is admitted to the hospital on the same day of service as a surgery.Consultations.Renal dialysis codes.Physician services provided prior to the date of surgery.MO HealthNet Division21

Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)All surgeries or procedures billed having a reimbursement amount of less than $75.00.Newborn care.Suture removal.MO HealthNet Division22

Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)All surgeries or procedures billed having a reimbursement amount of less than $75.00.Newborn care.Suture removal.MO HealthNet Division23

Exceptions to Post-operative Care (continued)All surgeries or procedures billed having a reimbursement amount of less than $75.00.Newborn care.Suture removal.MO HealthNet Division24

The surgeon and assistant surgeon must each submit separate professional claims for services provided, using his/her individual NPI.A clinic may submit a single professional claim using the clinics NPI and must indicate each individual providers NPI as the performing provider.MO HealthNet Division25

The surgeon and assistant surgeon must each submit separate professional claims for services provided, using his/her individual NPI.A clinic may submit a single professional claim using the clinics NPI and must indicate each individual providers NPI as the performing provider.MO HealthNet Division26

For assisting at cesarean deliveries, the appropriate CPT procedure code for instance, procedure code 59514, for the delivery only must be billed, regardless of whether or not the surgeon billed the global procedure. A Global delivery indicates that the prenatal care, delivery and postpartum care are provided by a single physician or private medical clinic/group.MO HealthNet Division27

Thank you again for participatingin this training session. If you have questions regarding the information in this presentation, please contact the Provider Education Unit at 573-751-6683.MO HealthNet Division28