March 5, 2020

Question:
We have a patient who is a year status post breast reconstruction and not we are going to do fat grafting to her right breast. We typically do two to three stages. I was told to use modifier 58, for staged procedure, on all claims even the first one. Is this correct?

Answer:
No. Modifier 58 is used on the second and subsequent claims. It is not necessary on the first claim because you are not yet in a global period.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 03/05/20.