During the postoperative global period, the patient has an unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure treating a complication of the original surgery. Which modifier best applies to that return-to-OR service?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Complication drags the patient back to the OR related to the original surgery—modifier 78. That’s the unplanned return ticket during the global window.
Full Explanation
Modifier 78 is used for an unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician for a related procedure during the postoperative period. Modifier 79 is for unrelated procedures; modifier 58 is for staged or related planned procedures; modifier 24 applies to unrelated E/M services, not the return surgical procedure itself.