What is the purpose of Modifier 82?

• A. To indicate services provided by a non-physician
• B. To denote that no resident surgeon was available
• C. To indicate the presence of a surgical assistant
• D. To document additional surgical supplies used

Answer: (B)

Modifier 82 is used specifically to denote that a resident surgeon was unavailable to assist in a surgical procedure. When this modifier is used, it conveys that a qualified surgical assistant was present to perform a portion of the surgical procedure or support the surgeon, but it is important to indicate that a surgical resident was not available to fulfill that role. This helps provide a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the surgical intervention and ensures accurate reporting and billing.

Using Modifier 82 helps differentiate between situations where a resident would typically assist and cases where an alternative surgical assistant had to be brought in due to the unavailability of a resident. This is significant for proper documentation, as it informs payment agencies of the reasons for having a surgical assistant, which may affect reimbursement decisions.

In contrast, while the other choices might touch on related aspects of surgical procedures, they do not align with the specific function of Modifier 82 in the context of a non-available resident surgeon.