I double checked with my peers and this is what Leslie & Marie said.
Leslie-He'll bill the 22551-22585 (anterior) depending on how many levels, of course as co-surgeon w/mod 62. -See if he'll be acting as assistant as well, sometimes they do, sometimes not if there's any addition 630xx codes for stenosis, then he could likely bill for that as well - again, as cosurgeon. Need to coordinate with surgeon's staff if possible.
Marie- For co- surgery- each surgeon bills the CPT w 62 modifier and documents hidden portion - Each surgeon documents the portion of the procedure he/she alone did- and each of the 2 claims gets paid 62.5% of the professional fee- they split the work of the CPT and split the fee (125% fee paid 2= 62.5% each).
It’s definitely crucial as Leslie suggests to know if the surgeon is assisting ( then he does not need to document- the primary surgeon would list him as the assist and you use 80 modifier and he gets 16% ) OR if he is actually performing part of the procedure himself ( usually a different specialty) as a co surgeon and then you use 62 and he gets 62.5%. I have had issues with some surgeons not documenting well and it’s undistinguishable what role they are playing.
Leslie- And by coordinating with the surgeon, you use their codes to the extent where co-surgery is allowed. Not all of the procedures performed allow it.
Susan- 2024 National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File January Releasetells you what kind of assist/2nd/co-surgeons are allowed for each CPT code.
