Here’s how to use modifiers GC and QK for anesthesia services

We’d like to provide some direction on how to use modifiers GC and QK when reporting professional anesthesia services.

First, here are the definitions of these modifiers:

GC — The service was performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician.

QK — Medical direction of two, three or four concurrent anesthesia procedures involving qualified individuals.

Here are some additional directions on how these modifiers should be applied:

When there’s a one-on-one situation with a resident and a teaching anesthesiologist (in a teaching setting), the anesthesiologist would apply only modifier GC.
When an anesthesiologist uses modifier QK for two to four medically directed concurrent procedures, he or she should apply the QK modifier.

Don’t report both the GC and QK modifiers together on one claim.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2016 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.