Modifier 78; Unplanned Return to the Operating/Procedure Room By the Same Physician Following Initial Procedure for a Related Procedure During the Postoperative Period

Policy No: 112
Originally Created: 09/01/2009
Section: Modifiers
Last Reviewed: 04/01/2023
Last Revised: 04/01/2019
Approved: 04/13/2023
Effective Date: 05/01/2023
Policy applies to: Group and Individual & Medicare Advantage

This policy applies only to physicians and other qualified health care professionals.

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
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) modifier 78 is used to describe an unplanned return to the operating room or procedure room during the global period of the initial procedure by the same physician.

Perioperative Percentages
Pre-Op, Intra-Op, and Post-Operative percentages published by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File.

When an unplanned return to the operating or procedure room is needed during the postoperative global period of a prior procedure, modifier 78 must be appended to the appropriate surgical code(s) to avoid denial of the service per global period policy guidelines and to ensure proper reimbursement.

Modifier 78 must be appended when the return to the operating room is for a procedure that is related to the initial procedure, occurs in the global period of that initial procedure, the provider is the same for both procedures, and the return procedure is assigned global days of MMM, 000, 010 or 090 in the CMS National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File.

Modifier 78 is not appropriate for use with a place of service 11 (office).

Our health plan utilizes the CMS intra-operative percentages in determining reimbursement amounts for modifier 78. In the absence of an intra-operative percentage by CMS, the health plan may establish an intra-operative percentage for specific procedures.

When a provider reports an eligible procedure with modifier 78 appended, reimbursement will be:

• The CMS determined intraoperative percentage value for codes with a global period of 010 or 090
• 100% of the allowed amount for codes with a global period of 000

• 70% of the allowed amount for codes with a global period of MMM.

Additional applicable modifiers may also apply.

American Medical Association. Appendix A: Modifiers Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), AMA Press

CMS National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File.

CMS Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12, Sections 40.2, 40.4

Global Days

Modifier 54; Surgical Care Only, Modifier 55; Postoperative Management Only; Modifier 56; Preoperative Management Only