Does 38900 need a modifier?

Asked by: Margarete Quigley  |  Last update: February 20, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (15 votes)

CPT code +38900 is used for the intraoperative identification (e.g., mapping) of sentinel lymph node(s) and includes injection of non-radioactive dye, when performed. -50 modifier can be appended for bilateral mapping.

Does CPT 38900 need a modifier?

CPT 38900-50 describes intraoperative injection of dye for sentinel node identification. Modifier -50 is used for bilateral injections, and increases reimbursement by 150%, increasing the wRVU from 3.75 to 5.625.

What is the CPT code 38900?

CPT® 38900, Under Other Procedures of the Hemic or Lymphatic System. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 38900 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Other Procedures of the Hemic or Lymphatic System.

Can we code 38900 and 38792 together?

We can code both 38900 & 38792. Please ensure that the Primary CPT is coded appropriately as 38900 is an add on code, which will not be acceptable without the stand alone CPT.

Do add on CPT codes need modifiers?

All add-on codes are exempt from the “multiple procedure” concept, per CPT® instructions. As such, you never would append modifier 51 multiple procedures to a designated add-on code. Other important points to remember about add-on codes include: They are denoted in CPT® with a “+” to the left of the code.

WHAT IS MODIFIER 50? BILATERAL PROCEDURE MEDICAL CODING | MEDICAL CODING WITH BLEU

37 related questions found

How do I know if a CPT code needs a modifier?

What Are Medical Coding Modifiers?
  • The service or procedure has both professional and technical components.
  • More than one provider performed the service or procedure.
  • More than one location was involved.
  • A service or procedure was increased or reduced in comparison to what the code typically requires.

What CPT codes need a 59 modifier?

Another common use of modifiers 59 or XE is for surgical procedures, non-surgical therapeutic procedures, or diagnostic procedures performed during different patient encounters on the same day that can't be described by 1 of the more specific NCCI PTP-associated modifiers – in other words, 24, 25, 27, 57, 58, 78, 79, ...

What is the modifier for CPT code 38792?

If one physician is billing for the injection of the tracer and the injection of the dye, CPT code 38792 should be billed on 2 lines of coding, using modifier 59 on the second line.

What is modifier 51?

Modifier 51 Multiple Procedures indicates that multiple procedures were performed at the same session. It applies to: Different procedures performed at the same session. A single procedure performed multiple times at different sites. A single procedure performed multiple times at the same site.

How much does a lymph node biopsy cost without insurance?

Procedure Details

How Much Does a Lymph Node Biopsy Cost? On MDsave, the cost of a Lymph Node Biopsy ranges from $4,729 to $9,436.

Does CPT 38531 require a modifier?

Choose one: CCI lists 38531 as a column 2 code with the other CPT® codes for inguinofemoral lymph node removal (38760 and 38765) with a modifier indicator of “0.” That means you should not report the codes together under any circumstances, but should instead select the single code that most accurately describes the ...

How much does lymphoscintigraphy cost?

Procedure Details

On MDsave, the cost of a Sentinel Node Lymphoscintigraphy ranges from $537 to $1,421.00.

What happens if a sentinel node biopsy is positive?

A positive SLNB result means that cancer cells were found in the sentinel lymph node. This is an abnormal result. After an abnormal result, a lymph node dissection may be done to remove more lymph nodes from the area. Find out more about lymph node dissection.

What is procedure code 38900?

to indicate the intraoperative work done to identify the sentinel lymph nodes. Therefore, lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy is billed using codes 19301, 38525-51, and 38900. Total mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy uses codes 19303, 38525-51, and 38900.

Does CPT require a modifier?

According to CPT, the situations when the use of a modifier may be appropriate are: The service or procedure has both professional and technical components. More than one provider performed the service or procedure. More than one location was involved.

Do anesthesia codes require modifiers?

Physicians are required to report the appropriate anesthesia modifier when reporting for anesthesia. The modifier explains whether the service was personally performed, medically directed, medically supervised, or monitored anesthesia care.

Does the 51 or 59 modifier go first?

There is no real need to use both - EVER. Doing so is unnecessary. The -59 modifier tells you that this is a distinct procedure from the first procedure (for example two distinct lesions). The -51 modifier would tell you that you performed a second (or third or fourth...)

What is a 52 modifier used for?

Modifier -52 is used to indicate partial reduction or discontinuation of radiology procedures and other services that do not require anesthesia. The modifier provides a means for reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service.

When to use modifier 50?

Use modifier 50 to report bilateral procedures performed during the same operative session by the same physician in either separate operative areas (e.g., hands, feet, legs, arms, ears) or in the same operative area (e.g., nose, eyes, breasts).

What is CPT code 38900 with modifier 50?

CPT code +38900 is used for the intraoperative identification (e.g., mapping) of sentinel lymph node(s) and includes injection of non-radioactive dye, when performed. -50 modifier can be appended for bilateral mapping.

How do you know if a CPT code needs a modifier?

The most common examples of circumstances that require a modifier are:
  • A service or procedure has both a professional and technical component, but only one component is applicable.
  • A service or procedure was performed by more than one physician or in more than one location.

What is CPT modifier 90839?

CPT Code 90839 Definition

90839 is defined as Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minute. Along with add-on code 90840 it falls into a subgroup of crisis psychotherapy procedure codes.

When is modifier 57 used?

CPT modifier 57 may be used to report the decision for surgery for certain codes. This modifier may be used to indicate that an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed on the same day or the day before a major surgery (090 global days) by the surgeon resulted in the decision to perform the procedure.

Does 96127 need a 59 modifier?

Each insurance is different. Most insurances require modifier 59 when using CPT code 96127. Please check with each insurance provider for specific guidelines.