Modifiers 80, 81, 82, AS; Assistant at Surgery

Policy No: 109
Date of Origin: 12/01/2009
Section: Modifiers
Last Reviewed: 08/01/2024
Last Revised: 08/01/2022
Approved: 08/08/2024
Effective: 09/01/2024
Policy Applies to: Group and Individual

This policy applies only to physicians and other qualified health care professionals.

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) Modifier 80
CPT Modifier 80 represents assistant at surgery by another physician. This assistant at surgery is providing full assistance to the primary surgeon. This modifier is not intended for use by non-physicians assisting at surgery (e.g., Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants/Physician Associates).

CPT Modifier 81
CPT modifier 81 represents minimal assistant at surgery by another physician. This assistant at surgery is providing minimal assistance to the primary surgeon. This modifier is not intended for use by non-physicians assisting at surgery (e.g., Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants/Physician Associates).

CPT Modifier 82
CPT modifier 82 represents assistant at surgery by another physician when a qualified resident surgeon is not available to assist the primary surgeon. This modifier is not intended for use by non-physicians assisting at surgery (e.g., Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants/Physician Associates).

Healthcare Common Procedure Code System (HCPCS) Level II Modifier AS
HCPCS Level II Modifier AS represents a non-physician assisting at surgery (e.g., Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants/Physician Associates).

Assistant at Surgery Indicators
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Assistant at Surgery Indicators (ASST SURG) are found in the CMS National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File (NPFSRVF). Values, which are currently in the CMS NPFSRVF, are:

0 - Assistant surgeon may be paid with documentation supporting medical necessity
1 - Assistant surgeon cannot be paid
2 - Assistant surgeon can be paid
9 - Assistant surgeon concept does not apply

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File

American Medical Association. Appendix A: Modifiers, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®). AMA Press

Modifier 62; Two Surgeons/Co-Surgeons