Two Procedures on the Same Day

Question:

If a patient develops a complication from a surgical procedure during the global period and needs to return to the OR for treatment, will the second procedure require a modifier and if so, which modifier? We are debating whether it would be a modifier 58 for staged procedure, or 78 for an unplanned return to the OR.

Answer:

Modifiers 58 is appended to a subsequent procedure if it is staged or more extensive than the original procedure. Modifier 78 is for an unplanned return to the OR, typically a complication. Therefore, in the scenario you describe, a modifier 78 for an unplanned return for a complication would be the appropriate modifier.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 8/28/25.