Modifier for Postoperative Endoscopic Sinus Debridement

Question:

If one of our physicians performs a septoplasty and sinus surgery and then the patient comes in the office for a 31237 (endoscopic sinus debridement), would we use a modifier 79 (unrelated procedure in a global period) or 58 (staged/anticipated procedure in a global)?

Answer:

The debridement should be considered unrelated to the septoplasty because septoplasty does not routinely require postoperative debridement. Therefore, modifier 79 should be appended to 31237 when the service occurs within the septoplasty’s global period.

Ensure that diagnosis codes are properly linked to the indication for the sinus surgery and the 31237. If 31237 is linked to the septoplasty diagnosis, the payer system will interpret the procedure as related to a 90-day global and may cause a denial.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 01/08/26.