Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Coding Policies and Guidelines (Surgical Services)
Co-Surgeons
(continued)
11-12
Allowable co-surgery services will be determined on a case-bycase
basis and upon review of supporting documentation.
Reimbursement will be 62.5 percent of the global surgery fee
schedule amount for allowable co-surgery services. Additionally,
global surgery rules will be applied to each of the physicians
participating in a co-surgery.
If multiple co-surgeries are submitted and allowed, the second or
subsequent surgery would also be subject to a multiple surgery
reduction, if the surgical code itself may be subject to a reduction.
For example, the first co-surgery would be allowed at 62.5 percent.
The second would be allowed at 62.5 percent then further reduced
by 50 percent.
If multiple co-surgeries are submitted and allowed, the second or
subsequent surgery would also be subject to a multiple surgery
reduction, if the surgical code itself may be subject to a reduction.
For example, the first co-surgery would be allowed at 62.5 percent.
The second would be allowed at 62.5 percent then further reduced
by 50 percent.
Multiple Surgeries When more than one surgical procedure is performed during the
same operative session, the -51 modifier may be appended to all
secondary surgical procedures; however, it is not necessary to
append this modifier. Applicable code edits will be applied to
services submitted. The -51 modifier itself does not affect
payment.
Payment for multiple surgeries is based on whether the surgical
procedure itself may be subject to a multiple surgery reduction. If
so, this reduction will be based on the highest allowed amount.
Multiple surgery reduction will be applied to the lesser allowed
procedure(s). Payment will be 50 percent of the allowed amount
for all covered secondary procedures.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (03/19/12)