What is modifier 59?
Asked by: Jany Rutherford | Last update: July 12, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (48 votes)
When should you use modifier 59?
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 the 59 modifier with example?
For example, Modifier 59 should be used when coding for a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion (noncontiguous lesions in different anatomic regions of the same organ), or separate injury.
What is the difference between modifier 25 and 59?
This helps ensure that healthcare services are reimbursed correctly, especially when different services seem similar but are distinct in nature and necessity. While Modifier 59 explains many separate services in one session, Modifier 25 shows vital, identifiable E&M services on the same day as other procedures.
What is the difference between modifier 50 and 59?
Modifier 50: Same Site, Different Side
The main confusion between modifiers 50 and 59 seems to be that both have the word “same” in their descriptors: Modifier 50 is for the “same session” Modifier 59 for the “same day” and the “same individual.”
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What is the 50 modifier used for?
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).
How much does modifier 50 pay?
This denotes that the procedure is unilateral, as described in CPT®, and can be appropriately billed as a bilateral procedure with modifier 50 appended. Medicare will pay this procedure at 150 percent of the allowed amount, subject to the patient's deductible and coinsurance.
What is the 25 modifier used for?
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.
How much does modifier 59 affect reimbursement?
A Modifier 59 attached to a procedure code indicates that it is a separate procedure and is NOT subject to the multiple surgical reduction; as a result, it should be paid at 100% of the fee schedule.
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.
Which modifier goes first?
In the case of more than one modifier, you code the “functional” modifier first, and the “informational” modifier second. The distinction between the two is simple: you always want to list the modifiers that most directly affect the reimbursement process first. There's a straightforward reason to this, too.
Can modifier 59 be used on labs?
Modifier 59 (distinct) and 91 (repeat) are valid modifiers for most laboratory services and should be used when multiple laboratory services described by a single code are provided to a patient on one day by the same provider.
What does modifier 26 mean?
• Modifier 26 is appended when a physician provides the professional component only of the global fee. and when the physician prepares a written interpretation and report. • Modifier 26 should only be appended to codes which are listed in the CMS NPFSRVF as modifier 26. appropriate.
Does modifier 26 come before modifier 59?
If you have two pricing modifiers, the most common scenario is likely to involve 26 and another modifier. Always add 26 before any other modifier. If you have two payment modifiers, a common one is 51 and 59, enter 59 in the first position. If 51 and 78, enter 78 in the first position.
How to bill a Clia waived test?
CLIA waived tests requiring Modifier QW are considered simplified analysis tests. The QW modifier is used to identify waived tests and must be submitted in the first modifier field. CLIA requires all laboratory testing sites to have a current certification to legally perform clinical laboratory testing.
How do I 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).
When should modifier 59 be used?
Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than E/M services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances.
What are the most used modifiers in medical billing?
Understanding commonly used modifiers in medical billing is crucial for accurate reimbursement and avoiding claim denials. Modifiers such as 22, 25, 26, 33, 50, 51, and 59 play a significant role in communicating additional information about the services provided.
What is modifier 59 for 99213?
If the circumstance calls for a Level 3 established patient visit (CPT code 99213) to be billed with a demonstration of home monitoring of a patient's international normalized ratio (e.g., HCPCS code G0248), modifier 59 would be appended to the demonstration code.
Are modifiers 25 and 59 interchangeable?
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.
What is modifier 24 used for?
Use CPT modifier 24 for unrelated evaluation and management service during a postoperative (global) period. The global period of a major surgery is the day prior to, day of and 90 days after the surgery.
What is modifier 22 used for?
Modifier -22: Increased Procedural Services. This modifier is used to identify a service that requires significantly greater effort, such as increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required, than is usually needed for that procedure.
What is modifier 80?
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) Modifier 80 - CPT Modifier 80 represents assistant at surgery by another physician. This assistant at surgery is providing full assistance to the primary surgeon.
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 57 modifier?
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.