What does modifier 78 indicate?

Modifier 78 is used in medical coding to indicate that a surgical procedure has been performed during the postoperative period due to complications that require another operation. This modifier specifically denotes that the subsequent procedure is related to the original surgery and occurs within the established global period but is necessary due to unforeseen complications.

For instance, if a patient experiences complications following a surgical procedure and requires a return to the operating room for corrective measures, modifier 78 would be appended to the claim for the additional procedure to inform payers that this was a necessary follow-up related to the initial surgery.

The other choices do not correctly reflect the meaning of modifier 78, as they address either entirely separate procedures or aspects of the surgical global period that do not align with the specific intent of indicating complications necessitating further surgical intervention.