Does CPT code 97012 need a modifier?
Asked by: Garret Zemlak | Last update: March 8, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (46 votes)
Does the CPT code 97012 require a modifier?
Modifiers are crucial to signal unique circumstances in billing. For instance, use Modifier 59 if CPT Code 97012 was performed independently of other billed services. Modifiers clarify billing scenarios to insurers, reducing the risk of bundling or claim rejections.
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, ...
How do I know if a CPT code needs a modifier?
- 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 modifier do I use for massage therapy?
Massage therapy is covered by most major medical carriers who have physical therapy coverage. You need to use a 59 modifier and ensure you are not going over the number of modalities allowed by the carrier. Medicare does not cover nor does Cigna or Medcost.
What is a Modifier in Medical Coding? CPT and HCPCS Modifiers for Beginners
Can a massage therapist bill 97112?
Code 97112 is intended to identify neuromuscular re-education designed to re-educate the muscle for some function it was previously able to do and not intended to identify massage to increase circulation, etc.
What is a 25 modifier used for in medical billing?
Modifier 25 is used to indicate that a patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management (E/M) service above and beyond that associated with another procedure or service being reported by the same physician or other qualified health care professional (QHP) on the same date.
How do I know if a CPT code needs a laterality modifier?
The -RT and -LT modifiers should be used whenever a procedure is performed on one side. For instance, when reporting CPT code 27560 (closed treatment of patellar dislocation; without anesthesia), modifier -RT or -LT should be appended if only one knee is treated.
How do you know which modifier to use?
The correct modifier to use is determined by payor preference. There can be instances where a CPT code is further defined by an HCPCS modifier, for example, to describe the side of the body the procedure is performed on, such as left (modifier -LT) or right (modifier -RT).
What is a therapy modifier?
Modifiers are characters that extend Common Physical Therapy (CPT) Level II codes. They provide additional information about medical procedures, services, or supplies. However, they do not alter the code and only provide added details about the encounter.
When to use 59 or 51 modifier?
Modifier -51 would be attached because the biopsy is the lesser-valued procedure done at the same session, and modifier -59 would be attached to indicate that the biopsy, which is normally bundled with excision of the same lesion, was done on a separate lesion from the one that was excised.
What is an example of a CPT code with a modifier?
CPT Modifiers with Examples
To correctly bill the insurance company, you must add modifier 97 (unusual procedure) with the CPT code 97140 manual lymphatic drainage. Adding this modifier ensures that the insurer is aware of your use of a specialized technique for the service provided.
When to use modifier 95?
-95: Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video communications system.
What CPT code is 97012?
CPT 97012 - Mechanical Traction
CPT defines CPT Code 97012 as "Application of modality to one or more areas; traction, mechanical." CPT Code 97012 is a supervised modality.
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.
Is CPT code 97012 a timed code?
The following are examples of untimed codes: Evaluations/Re-evaluations (CPT codes 97161–97168) Group therapy (CPT code 97150) Supervised modalities (CPT code 97012)
How do you know if a CPT code needs a modifier?
- 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 a 58 modifier used for?
Modifier 58 is defined as a staged or related procedure performed during the postoperative period of the first procedure by the same physician. A new postoperative period begins when the staged procedure is billed.
What is the 59 modifier used for?
Modifier 59 Distinct Procedural Service indicates that a procedure is separate and distinct from another procedure on the same date of service. Typically, this modifier is applied to a procedure code that is not ordinarily paid separately from the first procedure but should be paid per the specifics of the situation.
When can a right, left, or bilateral modifier be reported with a CPT code?
Reporting these bilateral-indicator-1 procedures with either LT or RT and 1 unit of service is appropriate only if the procedure is being performed unilaterally. If the procedure is performed bilaterally, modifier 50 should be appended to the procedure code with 1 unit of service.
Does 20610 require a modifier?
The appropriate site modifier (RT or LT) must be appended to CPT code 20610 or CPT code 20611 to indicate if the service was performed unilaterally and modifier (-50) must be appended to indicate if the service was performed bilaterally.
Do CPT add on 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.
Can you bill 99213 and 20610 together?
Per CCI edits, CPT codes 20610-RT and 99213-25 cannot be billed together; however a modifier is allowed with supporting documentation.
How to write a CPT code with modifiers?
CPT modifiers are added to the end of a CPT code with a hyphen. In the case of more than one modifier, you code the “functional” modifier first, and the “informational” modifier second.
When to use modifier 24?
- This modifier may be used to indicate that an evaluation and management (E/M) service or eye exam, which falls within the global period of a major or minor surgery and which is performed by the surgeon, is unrelated to the surgery. ...
- This modifier may only be submitted with E/M and eye exam codes.