Modifier GC Definition:
This service was performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician.
HCFA Provided the following clarification after reviewing the example described below:
Example:
The resident sees the patient for part or all of the service separately from the teaching physician and writes a note in the chart. The teaching physician, seeing the patient separately, decides to rely on nothing the resident does and essentially 'personally' performs the service, and interacts with the resident totally as a teaching experience.
The concern was how this would look to an auditor if modifier GC was not used when the medical record showed that a resident was involved.
HCFA Response
William Morse 5/2/97 - "I may be wrong, but I don't think anyone is going to be audited or "graded" on the proper use of the modifier. The point is whether or not the physician presence policy is being followed. The GC modifier just helps to identify teaching physicians from personally furnished and primary care exception claims."
Terrance Kay 5/2/97 - "...the example he gives is clear. The modifier is NOT needed since the specific service was done by the teaching physician, not the resident."
Key Points
- If the teaching physician does not use any portion of the resident's work-up and personally renders and documents the key elements of the service, modifier GC is not required.
- Modifier GC is not required when a teaching anesthesiologist is supervising more than one resident since this situation is considered "medical direction" according to a HCFA Source: Part B News 4/14/97.