February 18, 2021

Question:
My surgeon was called into a laparoscopic operation that was already underway, to perform extensive lysis of adhesions. Does he need to use a modifier 52 because the patient was already “opened”, or can we just bill for 44180 Laparoscopic lysis of adhesions?

Answer:
You would bill for 44180 without a modifier 52, as the surgeon performed the entirety of the procedure listed.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 2/18/21.