WCD Announces Changes in Billing Modifier for Physician Assistants and Nurses

The Oregon Workers' Compensation Division announced that physician assistants and authorized nurse practitioners must only use modifier code "81" when billing for services provided as a surgical assistant. All other bills from physician assistants and nurse practitioners must be submitted without the modifier, the agency said. "If you continue to use modifier 81 when you are not the surgical assistant, your payment will be reduced to 15% of the fee schedule instead of the 85% to which you are entitled," the WCD said Monday in an email. Under revised Medical Fee and P...