What is Medicare 22 modifier?

Asked by: Keyon Schmitt  |  Last update: July 25, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (56 votes)

Per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), “When the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code.”1 In contrast to procedure codes, evaluation and management codes increasingly allow ...

What is code 22 in medical billing?

Denial code 22 is an indication that the healthcare service or treatment may be covered by another insurance provider as per coordination of benefits.

What is the difference between modifier 52 and 22?

Modifier 52 is used to indicate that a procedure was partially reduced, eliminated, or discontinued at the physician's discretion, while Modifier 22 is used to indicate that a procedure was more difficult or complex than usual and required significant additional time and effort.

What modifier is not accepted by Medicare?

GZ - Service is not covered by Medicare

The GZ modifier identifies that 1) an item or service is expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary, and 2) no advance notice of non-coverage was supplied to the member.

What is the modifier 22 for Medicare?

Increased procedural services are submitted by appending modifier 22 to the procedure code. Modifier 22 should only be reported with procedure codes that have a global period assignment of 0,10, 90 or MMM in the National Physician Fee Schedule (NPFS).

Modifier 22 | Modifier Part - 01 | Modifier 22 Definition, Description, Explanation with Examples.

18 related questions found

What are three services not covered by Medicare?

We don't cover these routine items and services: Routine or annual physical checkups (visit Medicare Wellness Visits to learn about exceptions). exams required by third parties, like insurance companies, businesses, or government agencies. Eye exams for prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses.

When should modifier 52 not be used?

Modifier -52 should not be used if there is another specific procedure code that appropriately describes the lesser or reduced service that was actually performed; the other procedure code is the most appropriate code and should be reported.

What is the Medicare modifier 53?

Any other codes billed with modifier -53 are subject to medical review and priced by individual consideration. Modifier-53 = Discontinued Procedure - Under certain circumstances, the physician may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure.

Can modifier 62 and 22 be billed together?

Co-surgery services may be submitted with the modifier -22 as secondary to the appropriate co- surgery modifier (-62) for surgical procedures that are difficult, complex or complicated or situations where the service necessitated significantly more time to complete than the typical work effort.

What is an example of a 22 modifier?

Examples include surgery complicated by extensive scarring and adhesions throughout the operative field or surgical access markedly impeded in a morbidly obese patient. Increased procedural services are submitted by appending modifier -22 to the claim form with the primary procedure code.

What is the occurrence code 22 for Medicare?

iii) Occurrence Code 22 (date active care ended, i.e., date covered SNF level of care ended) = include the date active care ended; this should match the statement covers through date on the claim.

What causes code 22?

An error 22 on a website could have a few different causes, from something on the host's end to program incompatibility—or even a virus. Quit and restart your browser, then try again. If possible, run a virus scan as a precaution. If the problem persists, try a different browser.

How to justify modifier 22?

Use generalized or conclusory statements to justify using the modifier, such as: “The surgery took an additional two hours;” “This was a difficult procedure;” or “Surgery for an obese patient.” Use modifier 22 if the additional work performed has a specific procedure code you can use instead.

Does Medicare pay for modifier as?

Medicare reimburses services rendered for assistant at surgery by a physician performing as a surgical assistant at 16 percent of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB) amount.

What is the modifier 22 for a colonoscopy?

When the colonoscopy procedure is unusual or difficult, modifier 22 (unusual procedural services) may be reported. The most specific ICD-10-CM code must be chosen and billed to its highest level of specificity. Submit this as the line diagnosis (linked to the procedure) on the claim.

What is Medicare 59 modifier?

Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than Evaluation/Management services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. XE, XS, XP, and XU are valid modifiers and provide greater reporting specificity.

What is Medicare 25 modifier?

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.

What is Medicare 55 modifier?

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT ONLY: WHEN ONE PHYSICIAN PERFORMS THE POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AND ANOTHER PHYSICIAN HAS PERFORMED THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE, THE POSTOPERATIVE COMPONENT MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY ADDING THE MODIFIER -55 TO THE USUAL PROCEDURE NUMBER OR BY USE OF THE SEPARATE FIVE DIGIT MODIFIER CODE 09955.

What is modifier 73 used for?

Modifier -73 is used by the facility to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure requiring anesthesia was terminated due to extenuating circumstances or to circumstances that threatened the well being of the patient after the patient had been prepared for the procedure (including procedural pre-medication when ...

What is modifier 57?

Modifier 57 is used to indicate an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service resulted in the initial decision to perform surgery either the day before a major surgery (90 day global) or the day of a major surgery.

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

What blood tests does Medicare not cover for seniors?

It's important to know that Medicare won't cover any blood test if it isn't medically necessary. If you seek a blood test on your own, it's unlikely you'll get it covered. Tests not covered may include those for employment purposes, wellness screenings, or routine monitoring without medical necessity.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.