What is the difference between modifiers FT and 24?

Editorial team Published on

The main difference between medical billing modifiers FT and 24 is that modifier FT is strictly used for unrelated critical care services, whereas modifier 24 is used for all other unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) services (and explicitly excludes critical care codes).

Modifier FT

  • Definition: Indicates unrelated critical care visits provided during a global surgical period, on the same day as a procedure, or during another E/M visit.
  • Code Application: Appended to critical care codes (such as 99291 and 99292).
  • Usage Context: Introduced by Medicare for services on or after January 1, 2022, when a surgeon or a qualified health care professional in the same group and specialty provides critical care that is entirely unrelated to the surgical procedure.

Modifier 24

  • Definition: Denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service by the same physician or same group/specialty practice during a 10-day or 90-day postoperative global period.
  • Code Application: Appended to standard E/M procedure codes (99202–99499) or general ophthalmological codes.
  • Usage Context: Used for routine office visits or non-critical care encounters starting the day after a procedure when treating an underlying, unrelated condition or separate problem. It cannot be appended to critical care codes.

What is a 24 modifier used for?

Modifier 24 is a medical billing code modifier appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service to show that a visit is completely unrelated to a previous surgery.

Key Details on Usage

  • Global Period: Used during the 10-day or 90-day post-operative global period of a prior minor or major procedure.
  • Same Physician: Performed by the same physician or a qualified health care professional of the same group and specialty who performed the original surgery.
  • Different Diagnosis: Typically supported by a separate, distinct ICD-10 diagnosis code for a new condition (e.g., treating a rash or a completely different injury during recovery).

When NOT to Use It

  • Surgical Complications: Do not use it for routine post-operative care, wound treatments, suture removals, or infections related to the original surgery. These services are already bundled into the original surgical package.
  • Same-Day Visits: Do not use it for services rendered on the exact same day as the procedure.

What is an FT modifier?

Modifier FT Fact Sheet defines an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) or critical care visit during a postoperative global period, on the same day as a procedure, or alongside another E/M visit.

Overview and Purpose

  • Effective Date: Introduced by CMS on January 1, 2022.
  • Primary Use: Appended specifically to critical care codes (99291 and 99292) to report separate, distinct, and unrelated services provided during a global surgical period or on the same day as another procedure/visit.
  • Billing Goal: Prevents proper claims from being incorrectly bundled or rejected when a patient requires critical care for an emergent condition completely separate from the original surgery.

Correct Application

  • Unrelated Care: The critical care service must be above, beyond, and completely unrelated to the anatomic injury or surgical procedure performed.
  • Transfer of Care: If a surgeon transfers postoperative care to an intensivist for unrelated critical care, the surgeon reports modifier 54 (surgical care only), while the intensivist reports modifier 55 and modifier FT.
  • Documentation: Medical records must explicitly prove that the diagnosis and critical treatment provided are completely separate from the primary surgical event.

When should modifier 24 be used?

Modifier 24 should be used when a physician provides an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service to a patient during the global post-operative period of a previous procedure.

When to Use Modifier 24

  • New, unrelated problems: The patient visits for a totally different condition with a separate diagnosis code (ICD-10).
  • Underlying condition treatment: The visit treats the underlying condition that prompted the original surgery, rather than routine recovery.
  • Special therapy management: The surgeon manages ongoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressant therapy during a post-operative window.
  • Timing: The service happens on any day after the procedure, within the active 10-day or 90-day global period.

When NOT to Use Modifier 24

  • Surgical complications: Do not use it for treating infections, wound care, or removing sutures tied to the original surgery.
  • Same-day visits: Do not use it for services on the day of the procedure; use Modifier 25 instead.
  • Routine checks: Do not apply it to standard, expected post-operative follow-up visits.
  • Different specialties: Do not use it if the new visit is with a physician of a completely different specialty in a different group.

Which modifier goes first, 24 or 25?

Modifier 24 goes first (sequenced as -24-25) when you report both modifiers together on a single Evaluation and Management (E/M) code.

Why Modifier 24 Comes First

  • Computer Edits: Payer processing systems check for global surgical periods before other same-day procedure edits.
  • Expert Guidance: According to the AAPC, placing the postoperative modifier (24) first prevents automated claim denials or processing delays.

Quick Definitions

  • Modifier 24: Appended to an E/M service performed during a global postoperative period for a problem unrelated to the original surgery.
  • Modifier 25: Appended to a significant, separately identifiable E/M service performed on the same day as a minor procedure.

Medical Coding: "Modifiers"

9 related questions found

What CPT codes can use modifier 24?

Modifier 24 is used exclusively with Evaluation and Management (E/M) services and general ophthalmological services performed during a global postoperative period.

Applicable Code Ranges

You can append modifier 24 to the following specific CPT code sets:

  • Office and Outpatient E/M Services: 99202 – 99215
  • Inpatient and Observation Care Services: 99221 – 99239
  • Consultations: 99242 – 99245
  • Emergency Department Services: 99281 – 99288
  • Nursing Facility Services: 99304 – 99318
  • Domiciliary, Rest Home, or Custodial Services: 99324 – 99337
  • Home Services: 99341 – 99350
  • Prolonged Services and Care Management: 99417, 99484 – 99499
  • General Ophthalmological Services: 92002 – 92014 (eye examination codes)

Key Rules for Usage

  • Unrelated Care Only: The E/M service must be completely unrelated to the original surgical procedure, or be management of the underlying condition that prompted the surgery (supported by a distinct ICD-10 diagnosis code).
  • Global Period: It applies during the 10-day minor or 90-day major global surgical period of a previous procedure performed by the same physician or same group practice of the same specialty.
  • Exclusions: Do not use modifier 24 on procedure codes, surgical packages, diagnostic tests, or critical care codes (99291–99292). For same-day E/M services performed during the global period, use modifier 25 instead.

For further guidance, check the AAPC Knowledge Center or official payer resources like the Novitas Solutions Modifier 24 Fact Sheet.

Can modifiers 24 and 25 be billed together?

Yes, medical billing modifiers 24 and 25 can be billed together on the same Evaluation and Management (E/M) code in specific, rare circumstances.

When You Can Use Both

You can report both modifiers on a single E/M service code when all of the following rules are met:

  • Modifier 24: The patient is in a global postoperative period (10 or 90 days) from a previous, unrelated surgery, and the doctor performs an E/M visit for a completely separate condition.
  • Modifier 25: During that same-day visit, the provider also performs a separate, minor procedure for the new condition, and the E/M work is significant and separately identifiable.

Proper Billing Rules

  • Placement: Attach both modifier 24 and modifier 25 to the same E/M procedure code.
  • Sequencing: Always place modifier 24 first and modifier 25 second. Computer systems check postoperative global periods first, so 24 must lead to pass primary billing edits.
  • Documentation: Clear, separate medical records must prove the visit and procedure are unrelated to the original surgery.

What is the difference between modifier 24 and ft?

Modifier FT and Modifier 24 are both used for unrelated services during a global surgical period, but they apply to entirely different types of codes and clinical scenarios.

Modifier FT

  • Definition: Used exclusively for unrelated critical care services (codes 99291 and 99292).
  • When to use: When critical care is provided during a global surgical period but is completely unrelated to the surgical procedure, or when a critical care visit occurs on the same day as another E/M visit and comes after it.
  • Key rule: Do not use Modifier 24 for critical care codes; current guidelines require Modifier FT instead.

Modifier 24

  • Definition: Used for unrelated Evaluation and Management (E/M) services (other than critical care) by the same physician during a postoperative global period (10 or 90 days).
  • When to use: Appended to standard E/M codes (such as office visits 99202–99499) or general eye exams starting the day after a procedure when the visit treats an unrelated underlying condition.
  • Key rule: Cannot be used with critical care codes (99291, 99292) or for routine post-operative care of the same condition.

Learn more about appropriate coding rules from the AAPC Modifier FT Guidance and review specific definitions via the Novitas Solutions Modifier 24 Fact Sheet.

What are the differences between modifiers 24 and 79?

The primary difference is that modifier 24 is used exclusively for unrelated Evaluation and Management (E/M) office visits, while modifier 79 is used for unrelated surgical procedures or services during a postoperative global period.

Modifier 24

  • Definition: Unrelated E/M service (such as an office visit or consultation) provided by the same physician during a postoperative global period (0, 10, or 90 days).
  • When to use: The patient returns for an evaluation of a new, completely unrelated condition or diagnosis.
  • Exclusions: Cannot be used for routine post-op care, management of surgical pain, or treatment of surgical complications.
  • Example: A patient is in the 90-day global period after knee surgery and sees the same surgeon for a new rash or a sinus infection.

Modifier 79

  • Definition: Unrelated procedure or surgery performed by the same physician during the postoperative global period of a previous procedure.
  • When to use: A distinct, separate surgical operation or minor procedure must be done that has no clinical relation to the first surgery. It restarts a new global period for the latest procedure.
  • Exclusions: Do not use if the second procedure is staged, planned, or related to complications from the original surgery (use modifiers like 58 or 78 instead).
  • Example: A patient undergoes an abdominal procedure and, two weeks later (still in the global period), requires an unrelated dermatological excision or an operation on a different organ system by the same provider.

What are the modifier codes?

Modifier codes are two-character alphanumeric or numeric codes appended to CPT or HCPCS Level II procedure codes to supply extra details about a service or procedure without changing its core definition.

Purpose and Function

  • Clarify circumstances: Explain if a procedure was bilateral, took longer than usual, or involved multiple surgeons.
  • Specify location: Indicate specific anatomical sites, such as the left side (LT), right side (RT), specific digits, or eyelids (E1–E4).
  • Impact reimbursement: Help determine payment adjustments or prevent claim denials by showing medical necessity for altered services.

Main Types of Modifiers

  • CPT Modifiers (Level I): Two-digit numeric or alphanumeric codes (like 25 for a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service, or 59 for a distinct procedural service) maintained by the American Medical Association.
  • HCPCS Level II Modifiers: Two-character alphanumeric codes (like LT, RT, or KX) created by CMS to cover supplies, services, and specific anatomical or pricing details not found in CPT.
  • Pricing vs. Informational: Pricing modifiers (which change payment amounts) generally must be listed before informational or statistical modifiers on insurance claims.