What is the difference between 58 and 59 modifiers?
Asked by: Mortimer Kub | Last update: July 6, 2025Score: 5/5 (74 votes)
What is the 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.
What is the 59 modifier used for?
For the NCCI, the primary purpose of CPT® modifier 59 is to indicate that two or more procedures are performed at different anatomic sites or during different patient encounters. It should only be used if no other modifier more appropriately describes the relationships of the two or more procedure codes.
Which of the following scenarios qualifies for modifier 58?
Modifier 58 indicates that a staged or related procedure or service was performed by the same physician during the postoperative period. It is used when the subsequent procedure was planned (staged), more extensive than the original procedure, or for therapeutic reasons following a surgical procedure.
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.
Modifer 51 and 59 in Medical Coding -- What's the Difference and which one should you use??
Can you use modifier 58 and 59 together?
You can only use modifier 59 or an X modifier if no other modifier describes the relationship between the two codes you're trying to bill together. That may be modifier 25, RT, 58 or many others, depending on the circumstances.
Under what circumstances would modifier 59 not be appropriate?
If you performed 2 procedures on different sides of the body, you may report them with modifiers LT and RT as appropriate. However, modifiers 59, XE, XS, XP, XU are inappropriate if the basis for their use is that the narrative description of the 2 codes is different.
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 is medical code 58?
Denial code 58 is used when the payer determines that the treatment or service was provided in a location that is considered inappropriate or invalid according to their guidelines.
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.
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.
What is a QW?
What you need to know. Modifier QW is defined as a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waived test. Some things to keep in mind when appending modifier QW to your lab service/s: The modifier is used to identify waived tests and must be submitted in the first modifier field.
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.
What is 59 modifier used for?
Modifier 59 describes a distinct procedural service, and is used to identify procedures and services that are not normally reported together.
What is an example of a staged or related procedure?
An example of a planned staged or related surgery is a patient who had a pharyngectomy for a malignant neoplasm of the pharynx. The surgeon then brought the patient back into the OR 10 days later to reconstruct the pharynx. Modifier 58 is added to pharyngoplasty to indicate that this was a staged procedure.
What is modifier 57 mean?
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 a 58 modifier used for?
To start, modifier 58 is a surgical-specific modifier, used to indicate a staged or related procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period.
What does code 58 mean?
The customer's card issuer has declined the transaction as this credit card cannot be used for this type of transaction. This may be associated with a test credit card number. The customer should use an alternate credit card, or contact their bank.
What is procedure code 58?
Lay Term. Append modifier 58 to a procedure occurring during the postoperative period when the procedure is planned or staged.
Can modifier 58 and 59 be billed together?
Shouldn't they be billed with modifier 58? No, because although the “same day” could technically be called part of “the post-operative period,” the definition of modifier 59 clearly focuses on “the same day.” That's much more specific than “post-operative.” Further, this is a non-E/M service.
How do you know when to use a modifier?
- The service or procedure has both professional and technical components.
- More than one provider performed the service or procedure.
- More than one location was involved.
How much does modifier 59 affect reimbursement?
Basically, when you append modifier 59 to one of the CPT codes in an edit pair, it signals to the payer that you provided both services in the pair separately and independently of one another—meaning that you also should receive separate payment for each procedure.
Which scenario qualifies for modifier 58?
Modifier 58. Modifier 58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period may be necessary to indicate the performance of a procedure during the postoperative period was: Planned prospectively at the time of the original procedure, or “staged;”
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 are the three categories of CPT codes?
- Category I: These codes have descriptors that correspond to a procedure or service. ...
- Category II: These alphanumeric tracking codes are supplemental codes used for performance measurement. ...
- Category III: These are temporary alphanumeric codes for new and developing technology, procedures and services.