Mrs. Jones had an appendectomy on November 1. She was taken back to surgery on November 2 for evacuation of a hematoma of the wound site. Identify the modifier that may be reported for the November 2 visit.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Modifier -78 is used to indicate a return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period. The hematoma is a complication of the initial procedure and required surgical intervention, making -78 the appropriate modifier to report. Modifier -58 is used for staged or planned procedures, -76 is used for repeat procedures unrelated to the original procedure, and -79 is used for unrelated procedures during the postoperative period.

Mrs Jones Had an Appendectomy on November 1