What is the difference between modifier 25 and 57?

Asked by: Verla Barrows  |  Last update: February 6, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (55 votes)

Modifier 25's instructions specifically indicate that it is not to be used to report an E/M service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. In such instances, modifier 57, Decision for Surgery, should be appended to the E/M services code.

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.

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.

What is inappropriate use of modifier 25?

Do not use modifier 25 when billing for services performed during a post-operative period if related to the previous surgery. Related follow-up examinations by the same provider during the global period of a previous procedure are included in that procedure's global surgical package.

Does Medicare recognize modifier 57?

Revision Date (Medicare): 1/1/2022

If an E&M service is performed on the same date of service as a major surgical procedure for the purpose of deciding whether to perform this surgical procedure, the E&M service is separately reportable with modifier 57.

CPT Modifier 25 and 57. Independent historian. Facebook Live discussion by John Lin

21 related questions found

Can you use modifier 25 and 57 together?

APPROPRIATE USE

Modifier 25's instructions specifically indicate that it is not to be used to report an E/M service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. In such instances, modifier 57, Decision for Surgery, should be appended to the E/M services code.

When should a 57 modifier be used?

Modifier 57 should be appended to any E/M service on the day of or the day before said procedure when the E/M service results in the decision to go to surgery. This informs the payer that the physician determined the surgery was medically necessary. Modifier 57 should only be appended to E/M codes.

What is the CMS rule for modifier 25?

Use modifier 25 (same-day significant, separately identifiable E/M service) on the claim when you report critical care services unrelated to the service or procedure that you perform on the same day. You must also document the medical record with the relevant criteria for the respective E/M service you're reporting.

What is an unnecessary modifier?

A modifier is a word or a group of words which describe, limit, or qualify a subject. There are two kinds of modifiers: nonrestrictive and restrictive. Nonrestrictive modifiers are not essential or not necessary to the meaning of a sentence while restrictive modifiers are necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Does 99213 need a modifier 25?

If the E/M is not bundled into the stress test, then the Cardiologist's coder can use modifier 25 to indicate that these two services were separate and significant: 99213-25, 93015.

What is modifier 59 most commonly used for?

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.

Is modifier 25 needed for EKG?

Yes, you need to add a -25 modifier to your E&M service when billing in conjunction with an EKG or injection admin service done on same DOS. You're sure to get a bundling denial without it.

Can you bill an office visit and a procedure on the same day?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The decision to perform a minor procedure is included in the payment for the procedure, unless a significant and separate E/M is needed, performed and documented.

When to use 25 and 59 modifiers?

Only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. Note: Modifier 59 should not be appended to an E/M service. To report a separate and distinct E/M service with a non-E/M service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.”

What is modifier 58?

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 modifier 25 examples?

Modifier 25 may be used in the rare circumstance of an E/M service the day before a major operation and represents a significant, separately identifiable service; it likely would be associated with a different diagnosis (for example, evaluation of a cough that might affect the operation).

What are the 5 types of modifiers?

As illustrated below, modifiers in English include adjectives, adverbs, demonstratives, possessive determiners, prepositional phrases, degree modifiers, and intensifiers. Modifiers that appear before the head are called premodifiers, while modifiers that appear after the head are called postmodifiers.

Under what circumstances would modifier 59 not be appropriate?

Modifier 59 should not be used (as it is unnecessary) if the narrative description of the two codes is different. Modifier 59 is used appropriately for two services described by timed codes provided during the same encounter only when they are performed sequentially.

When to use modifier 57?

Answer: Modifier -57 is appended to office visits the same day or within three days of a major surgery (90-day global period).

What is modifier 25 not used for?

Modifier 25 should not be used when: ❌ The sole purpose of the encounter is for the procedure (e.g., lesion removal), and there is no documented medical necessity for a separate E/M service.

How does modifier 25 affect payment?

Automatic reduction in payment for the second code to account for what they perceive to be “overlap” between the two codes (e.g., a Preventive Medicine Service E/M code reported with an Office or Other Outpatient Service E/M code appended with modifier 25 allows payment of the Preventive Medicine Service code at 100 ...

What is an inappropriate use of the 57 modifier?

Inappropriate Uses

Appending to an E/M procedure code performed the same day as a minor surgery. When the decision to perform a minor procedure is done immediately before the service, it is considered a routine preoperative service and not billable in addition to the procedure.

How do you know if a code needs a modifier?

What Are Medical Coding Modifiers?
  • 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.
  • A service or procedure was increased or reduced in comparison to what the code typically requires.

What are the major surgeries?

Major surgery – such as surgery to the organs of the head, chest and abdomen. Examples of major surgery include organ transplant, removal of a brain tumour, removal of a damaged kidney or open-heart surgery.