Skip to Main Content

Print | Bookmark | Email | Font Size: + |

Pricing Multiple Surgical Procedures (Non-Endoscopic)

When multiple surgical procedures are performed on the same date, special pricing methodology is used to determine Medicare reimbursement.

  • Surgical procedures are identified in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB) by certain 'multiple surgery indicators.' To access the MPFSDB, refer to the CMS websiteExternal Website:
    • Select the year from the drop-down
    • Under Type of Information, select 'Payment Policy Indicators'
    • Identify the HCPCS search criteria
    • Enter the procedure code(s) and select 'All Modifiers'
    • Click 'Submit'

Refer to the column heading 'Mult Surg'

Multiple Surgery Indicator

Explanation

Example CPT Codes and Short Descriptions

0

No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.

  • Procedures with multiple surgery indicator 0 are often 'add-on' procedures

17312: Mohs addl stage

49568: Hernia repair w/ mesh

58110: Biopsy done with colposcopy add-on

1

This indicator is not used.

None

2

Multiple procedure rules apply.

  • If a procedure is reported on the same day as another procedure that has a multiple surgery indicator of 2 or 3, the procedures are ranked by fee schedule amount from highest to lowest
  • Reimbursement for the procedure with the highest fee schedule amount is based on 100% of the fee schedule
  • Reimbursement for each additional procedure is based on 50% of the fee schedule amount

If the submitted charge is less than the fee schedule-based charge, reimbursement will be based on the submitted charge

17311: Mohs, 1 stage, h/n/hf/g

47562: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

52601: Prostatectomy (TURP)

58548: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy

3

Special rules for multiple endoscopic procedures apply if the procedure is submitted with another endoscopy in the same family (e.g., another endoscopy that has the same base procedure).

  • If multiple endoscopies are reported on the same day as other non-endoscopic surgical procedures, the multiple endoscopy rules are applied before other multiple procedure reductions

If an endoscopic procedure is reported with only its base procedure, CGS will not make separate payment for the base endoscopy because payment for the base endoscopy is included in payment for the other endoscopy

43239: Upper GI endoscopy w/ biopsy

45380: Colonoscopy and biopsy

Calculating Reimbursement for Multiple Surgical Procedures: Summary

  • Identify all codes with multiple surgery indicator 2. Arrange the codes from highest to lowest fee schedule amount.
  • Reimbursement for the code with the highest fee schedule amount will be based on 100 percent of the fee schedule amount (unless the billed amount is lower)
  • Reimbursement for the additional procedures will be based on 50 percent of the fee schedule amount (unless the billed amount is lower)
  • Codes with multiple surgery indicator 0 are not reduced
  • Codes with multiple surgery indicator 3 are subject to endoscopic pricing rules (these pricing rules are the topic of a separate article)

Example: outpatient hospital setting, 4 Mohs procedures by the same surgeon on the same date

Date of Service CPT Code Mult Surg Indicator Submitted Amount Fee Schedule Amount (participating, in OH) Reimbursement Basis
01/15/21 17311 2 $450.00 $321.58 Full fee schedule amount: $321.58 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)
17312 0 $250.00 $170.92 100% of fee schedule amount: $170.92 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)
17313 2 $375.00 $288.35 50% of the fee schedule amount: $144.18 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)
17314 0 $200.00 $158.72 100% of fee schedule amount: $158.72 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)

Example: inpatient hospital setting, 3 surgeries by the same surgeon on the same date

Date of Service CPT Code Mult Surg Indicator Submitted Amount Fee Schedule Amount (participating, in KY) Reimbursement Basis

02/05/21

43622

2

$3000.00

$2050.81

Full fee schedule amount: $2050.81 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)

44640

2

$1500.00

$1233.99

50% of the fee schedule amount: $617.00 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)

44120

2

$500.00

$1081.85

50% of the fee schedule amount: $540.93; however, the lower submitted amount is paid: $500.00 (subject to coinsurance and deductible)

Reference: Complete definitions of multiple surgery indicators are available in CMS Pub. 100-04, Chapter 23External PDF, in the Addendum following section 90 (field 21 of MPFSDB layout).

spacer

26 Century Blvd Ste ST610, Nashville, TN 37214-3685 © CGS Administrators, LLC. All Rights Reserved