CommercialBilling CodesHigh impact
Correct coding for assistant surgeons
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · General Surgery, Orthopedics, Cardiothoracic Surgery +8 more·Physician
Effective date
Dec 1, 2018
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI clarifies assistant surgeon billing requirements, specifying they only reimburse when Medicare Physician Fee Schedule shows indicator 2 (assistant surgeon may be paid). Claims must include proper modifiers (80, 81, 82, AS) and cannot be split-billed across multiple claims.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team must verify all assistant surgeon claims use proper modifiers (80, 81, 82, or AS) and check Medicare Physician Fee Schedule indicators before submission. Stop split-billing assistant surgeon services - all services must be on single claim. Update billing system to flag assistant surgeon claims without corresponding primary surgeon claims. Claims with incorrect coding will be denied.