What is the 59 modifier for anesthesia?

Asked by: Eleanore Klocko V  |  Last update: May 22, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (7 votes)

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 should a 59 modifier be used?

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 modifier 22 for anesthesia?

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 the difference between modifier 59 and 51?

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.

Can modifier 59 be used on anesthesia codes?

For example, the modifier may be used when reporting anesthesia care and a post-operative pain procedure when the procedure meets the criteria that allows for it to be separately reportable. A previous Timely Topic gives additional examples of applying modifier 59 to anesthesia services.

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18 related questions found

What is the 59 modifier for surgery?

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, ...

What are the three classifications of anesthesia?

There are four main categories of anesthesia used during surgery and other procedures: general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, sedation (sometimes called "monitored anesthesia care"), and local anesthesia.

What is a 52 modifier used for?

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 a 57 modifier used for?

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.

What is an example of a 59 modifier?

59 Modifier Examples

An example of appropriate use of the 59 modifier might be if a physical therapist performed both 97140 (manual therapy) and 97530 (therapeutic activity) in the same visit. Normally these procedures are considered inclusive.

Is anesthesia billed separately?

Two separate bills must be filed for the medically directed anesthesia procedure—one for the Anesthesiologist and one for the anesthetist. Medical direction can occur in several different scenarios.

What is the modifier 23 for anesthesia?

Modifier 23 (Unusual Anesthesia) This modifier describes a procedure usually not requiring anesthesia (either none or local), but due to unusual circumstances, is performed under general anesthesia.

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.

When to use modifier 95?

-95: Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video communications system.

What is the difference between modifier 59 and 78?

Modifier 59 refers to a non-E/M service performed on the same day. In comparison, modifiers 79, 78, and 58 refer to unrelated procedures or E/M services performed post-op. However, the point of confusion is usually regarding modifier 79.

What is the 55 modifier for?

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.

Can modifier 53 be used on anesthesia codes?

Submit CPT modifier 53 with surgical codes or medical diagnostic codes when the procedure is discontinued because of extenuating circumstances. Do not submit CPT modifier 53 to report an elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite.

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).

Which of the following modifiers 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 are the three classifications of anaesthesia?

Types of anesthesia
  • Local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is given for a short time to stop pain in one part of the body. ...
  • Regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is used to numb only the part of the body that will have the surgery. ...
  • General anesthesia.

What is propofol given for?

Propofol injection is used to help you relax or sleep before and during surgery or other medical procedures. This medicine is an anesthetic and a sedative. Propofol may also be used to sedate coronavirus (COVID-19) patients who need mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU).

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.

When to use modifier 59 or xs?

Modifiers 59 or –XS are for surgical procedures, non-surgical therapeutic procedures, or diagnostic procedures. From an NCCI program perspective, the definition of different anatomic sites includes different organs or, in certain instances, different lesions in the same organ.

When to use modifier 54?

The use of modifier 54 indicates the surgeon has transferred postoperative care (partial or total) to another provider, and the surgical code with modifier 55 appended will be billed by the receiving provider to whom the postoperative care was transferred.