What is a 52 modifier used for?

Asked by: Velma Gerlach  |  Last update: June 20, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (15 votes)

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.

How much does modifier 52 reduced reimbursement?

There are no industry standards for reimbursement of claims billed with modifier 52 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or other professional organizations. UnitedHealthcare's standard for reimbursement of Modifier 52 is 50% of the Allowable Amount for the unmodified procedure.

What is the 52 modifier for ICD 10?

Physician coding would be reported with the appropriate physician modifiers. Modifier 52: This modifier indicates a partial reduction, cancellation, or discontinuation of services for which anesthesia was not planned, or discontinuation of radiology procedures and other services that do not require anesthesia.

What is the difference between modifier 52 and 53 anesthesia?

Depending on the circumstances as to why the procedure was stopped, modifier 52 is reportable if no anesthesia was administered and the physician elected to terminate the procedure. However, modifier 53 would be applicable if anesthesia was administered and the procedure was terminated due to extenuating circumstances.

What is the difference between modifier 52 and 53 colonoscopy?

You use a -53 modifier when the procedure had to be discontinued ... as in this case. You use a -52 modifier when you know in advance that you will not be performing the entire procedure, for example, a patient with a previous surgery who now only has a portion of colon remaining.

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42 related questions found

When would you use modifier 52?

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.

What is the modifier for a colonoscopy?

For example, if a physician performing a screening colonoscopy on a patient with commercial insurance finds and removes a polyp with a snare, use CPT code 45385 and append modifier 33 to the CPT code. If the patient is a Medicare beneficiary, use CPT code 45385 with modifier PT.

When to use 53 modifier?

CPT modifier 53 for discontinued procedure indicates that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued.

What modifier is often used with anesthesia?

Modifiers are two-character indicators used to modify payment of a procedure code or otherwise identify the detail on a claim. Every anesthesia procedure billed to OWCP must include one of the following anesthesia modifiers: AA, QY, QK, AD, QX or QZ.

What is the modifier 52 for BCBS?

Modifier 52 indicates that a service or procedure has been partially reduced or eliminated at the physician's discretion, per CMS, modifier 52 is subject to a pricing reduction.

What is ICD code 52?

ICD-10 code R52 for Pain, unspecified is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified .

Can we code modifier 22 and 52 together?

-52 signifies reduced services and -22 signifies increased services. I can see using them on different codes during the same operative session but not on the same code.

What procedure requires a 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 modifier 51 used for?

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.

What percentage does Medicare pay for as modifier?

Since Physicians are paid at 16 percent of the surgical payment amount under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Assistant-at-Surgery services, the actual payment amount that PAs receive for Assistant-at-Surgery services is 13.6 percent of the amount paid to Physicians.

Can you code an unsuccessful procedure?

For example, if a diagnostic procedure begins but is not finished due to patient pain or other non-critical reasons, Modifier 52 should be added to the CPT code. This modifier indicates that the service supplied was less than the code's typical description.

What modifier is used for surgery?

Assistant surgeons must use modifier 80 as a part of each procedure billed. The major surgical procedure is identified by the use of modifier 80 (assistant surgeon) and multiple surgical procedures identified by the use of modifier 99 (multiple modifiers).

What is the one modifier that is not used with anesthesia procedures?

In anesthesia guidelines, the modifier that is not used with anesthesia procedures is the modifier -51 (Multiple Procedures). This is because anesthesia services are not typically subjected to multiple procedure scaling.

Why do we use modifier 57?

Modifier 57 should be appended to any E/M service on the day of or the day before said procedure when the E/M service results in the decision to go to surgery. This informs the payer that the physician determined the surgery was medically necessary. Modifier 57 should only be appended to E/M codes.

Which modifier should go first?

Informational or statistical modifiers (e.g., any modifier not classified as a payment modifier) should be listed after the payment modifier. If multiple informational/statistical modifiers apply, you may list them in any order (as long as they are listed after payment modifiers).

What modifier is used for poor prep colonoscopy?

If you prep the patient for a screening or diagnostic colonoscopy and do not advance the scope due to obstruction, patient discomfort, or other complications; append modifier 53 (discontinued procedure) to report an incomplete colonoscopy.

What is a 55 modifier used for?

Postoperative management only. Use this modifier to indicate that payment for the postoperative, post-discharge care is split between two or more physicians where the physicians agree on the transfer of postoperative care.

What is modifier 52?

Definition. Modifier -52 identifies that the service or procedure has been partially reduced or eliminated at the physician's discretion. The basic service described by the procedure code has been performed, but not all aspects of the service have been performed.

What is Q modifier used for?

Q (Q7, Q8 or Q9 ) modifiers are specific to the Qualifying Condition of the patient and applies to billing Medicare for the procedure codes such as Corns/Calluses, Debridement or Nail trimming.

What if cologuard test is positive but no symptoms?

If your Cologuard test is positive and you are not experiencing symptoms, a colonoscopy is recommended to rule out cancer; many patients with early‐stage colon cancer have no symptoms and are diagnosed through screening.