Does modifier 25 go with the E & M code?

Asked by: Kayley Bogan  |  Last update: August 9, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (24 votes)

Modifier 25 is used to signify that when a separate identifiable evaluation-and-management (E/M) service was performed, which can refer to two evaluation-and-management (E/M) services, or a procedure plus an E/M service.

Does modifier 25 go with the e & m code?

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.

Why is modifier 25 being denied?

Key considerations for reporting modifier -25

Because the removal of the foreign body included the pre- and post-operative services, in this case, the use of modifier -25 would not be appropriate. If the doctor of optometry were to use the modifier, a claim audit would likely result in it being denied.

How much does a modifier 25 reduce a payment?

Automatic reduction in payment for the second code to account for what they perceive to be “overlap” between the two codes (e.g., a Preventive Medicine Service E/M code reported with an Office or Other Outpatient Service E/M code appended with modifier 25 allows payment of the Preventive Medicine Service code at 100 ...

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.

MEDICAL CODING MODIFIER 25 - Compliantly bill an E&M and separate service on the same date

39 related questions found

Can you bill 99213 and 99396 together?

In this case, you may submit codes for both a preventive service (such as 99396) and a regular office visit (such as 99213) by attaching -25 to the office-visit code.

What modifier to use with 20610?

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.

What is modifier 25 not used for?

Modifier 25 should not be used when: ❌ The sole purpose of the encounter is for the procedure (e.g., lesion removal), and there is no documented medical necessity for a separate E/M service.

What is e & m coding?

E&M coding involves use of CPT codes ranging from 99202 to 99499. These represent services by a physician (or other health care professional) in which the pr. Evaluation and management (E/M) coding and billing are crucial to maintaining the efficiency and productivity of a medical practice today.

Does modifier 25 or 95 go first?

Since both modifier 25 and 95 can impact payment, list modifier 25 first.

Can you bill an E&M with an injection?

It is true that an evaluation and management code, an E/M or office visit, can be reported with a minor procedure such as an injection, but only if the E/M is significant and separate and exceeds the “pre-service evaluation” that is inherent to the injection.

Is modifier 25 needed for EKG?

Yes, you need to add a -25 modifier to your E&M service when billing in conjunction with an EKG or injection admin service done on same DOS. You're sure to get a bundling denial without it.

Can you add modifier 25 to 99214?

Yes, you can add modifier 25 to CPT code 99214 if a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is performed on the same day as another procedure.

How do you use modifier 25 correctly?

Appending the CPT modifier 25 to an E/M service code on a claim indicates the code is a significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service, the AMA issue brief (PDF) explains.

What are the new guidelines for modifier 25?

Do not use modifier 25 by a physician other than the physician performing the procedure or physician of the same specialty in the same group practice. Do not use modifier 25 when documentation does not support a significant, separately identifiable E/M service.

What are E and M modifiers?

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) definition of Modifier 25 is as follows: Modifier 25 – this Modifier is used to report an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service on a day when another service was provided to the patient by the same physician or other qualified health care professional.

What are the changes in E&M 2024?

The new changes to Medicare in 2024 include updated E&M coding guidelines 2024, focusing on simplifying documentation and emphasizing time-based and MDM-based code selection. These updates, outlined in the AMA E/M guidelines 2024, aim to reduce administrative burdens and improve patient care.

What is code E used for?

What is an E-code? An external cause of injury code or E-code is used when a patient presents to a healthcare provider with an injury. The E-code is part of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system used in clinical settings to characterize and standardize health events.

What are the 3 key components for E&M?

The three key components--history, examination, and medical decision making--appear in the descriptors for office and other outpatient services, hospital observation services, hospital inpatient services, consultations, emergency department services, nursing facility services, domiciliary care services, and home ...

Does 99213 need a modifier 25?

If the E/M is not bundled into the stress test, then the Cardiologist's coder can use modifier 25 to indicate that these two services were separate and significant: 99213-25, 93015.

Can we code 24 and 25 modifier together?

You can use modifiers 24 (Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period) and 25 (Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the ...

What are modifiers 25 and 59?

When applied to CPT codes, both modifiers indicate that two services—billed on the same date of service but not typically billed together—were separate and distinct from one another. But, while these modifiers may be similar, they are not the same—and it's crucial to know when and how to use each.

Can I bill 20610 twice?

Multiple Units and Bilateral Procedures for 20610 CPT Code

Generally, only one unit of the 20610 code should be reported for each joint treated, regardless of the number of aspirations and injections performed.

How to bill a 99213?

The 99213 CPT code represents a medical evaluation and management (E/M) service provided by physicians. This code is used to document and bill for a level three office visit, which involves a face-to-face encounter with the patient for the evaluation and treatment of a new or existing problem.

What is mod 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).