CPT modifier

Modifier 82: Assistant surgeon when no qualified resident was available

Modifier 82 is a CPT modifier. In plain terms: A physician assisted at surgery in a teaching hospital because no qualified resident surgeon was available.

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Modifier
82
Type
CPT (Level I) modifier, maintained by the AMA
Plain description
A physician assisted at surgery in a teaching hospital because no qualified resident surgeon was available.
How it is used
Teaching hospital settings.
Claim form
CMS-1500 item 24D, up to four modifiers per line. 837P SV101-3 to SV101-6.

The CPT descriptor is AMA copyright and is not shown here. The description above is written by Rivvi. Read the CMS guidance linked above for Medicare's rules.

More than one surgeon

Substitute physicians and teaching settings

Related modifiers

Related pages

Questions

What does modifier 82 mean?

Modifier 82 is a CPT modifier. In plain terms: A physician assisted at surgery in a teaching hospital because no qualified resident surgeon was available.

Is modifier 82 a CPT or a HCPCS modifier?

82 is a CPT (Level I) modifier. The AMA maintains CPT modifiers. Two-character codes with a letter, such as GT or XU, are HCPCS Level II modifiers from CMS.

Where does modifier 82 go on a claim?

On the CMS-1500 it goes in item 24D next to the procedure code. Each line holds up to four modifiers. On an 837P it goes in SV101-3 to SV101-6.

When is modifier 82 used?

Teaching hospital settings.

What denial comes back when a modifier is wrong?

A missing or mismatched modifier often comes back as CARC 4. A modifier that was not valid on the date of service comes back as CARC 182. A bundling edit the modifier should have bypassed comes back as CARC 97 or 236.

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