MODIFIER 79: Unrelated Procedure
The same doctor may perform an unrelated procedure during the postoperative period or provide customer support. Submit this modifier when the same surgeon performs a subsequent unrelated surgery within the global period of a minor or major surgery, irrespective of whether the next surgery necessitated a return to the surgery room. If a less invasive process fails and more painful surgery is needed, the process is billable separately if CPT modifier 79 is used.