What is the 59 modifier used for?

Asked by: Alyson Hagenes  |  Last update: February 13, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (73 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 use of 59 modifier with example?

For example, you may report modifier 59 if you perform 1 service during the initial 15 minutes of therapy and you perform the other service during the second 15 minutes of therapy.

How much does modifier 59 reduce payment?

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 the difference between modifier 25 and modifier 59?

Modifier -59, “Distinct Procedural Service,” is similar to modifier -25, but it's applicable to procedural, rather than E/M, services.

Modifer 51 and 59 in Medical Coding -- What's the Difference and which one should you use??

43 related questions found

What is modifier 25 used only for?

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 does modifier 50 do?

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).

When should modifier 59 be appended to a claim?

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.

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 are the two highest audited modifiers by payers?

Two of the highest audited modifiers by payers are modifiers 25 and 59. It's easy enough to determine if this is an issue in your practice. Run data analysis reports to see if a provider in your practice is overusing these modifiers when compared to other providers.

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.

What is an example of using modifier 59?

Therapists often use modifier 59 to bill for “two timed code procedures [that] are performed sequentially in the same encounter.” For instance, if you billed CPT codes 97140 (Manual Therapy) and 97530 (Therapeutic Activities)—and you provided those services during separate and distinct 15-minute intervals—then, as ...

What is the therapy modifier 59?

Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services that are not normally reported together on the same day, but are appropriate under the circumstances. Modifier 59 does not apply to all codes.

How do you know when to use a modifier?

The CPT® code book Introduction provides these additional examples of when a modifier may be appropriate:
  1. The service or procedure has both professional and technical components.
  2. More than one provider performed the service or procedure.
  3. More than one location was involved.

What is the best modifier?

The best universal modifier is Godly or Demonic. The two modifiers only differ in knockback, a stat that is not considered very useful (or even beneficial) in many situations. The difference in knockback is also negligible enough that Godly and Demonic can be treated as the same modifier.

Should I use modifier 51 or 59?

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.

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 59 and 57?

The Modifier 57 is appended to the E/M visit to indicate that service resulted in the decision to go to surgery. Modifier 59 should be used to report procedures or services that are not normally reported together but are appropriate under the circumstances.

What is modifier 59 used to unbundle?

Modifier 59 Distinct procedural service is an “unbundling modifier.” When properly applied, it allows you to separately report—and to be reimbursed for—two or more procedures that normally would not be billed or paid independently during the same provider/patient encounter.

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 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 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 does a 25 modifier do?

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.