What is the modifier 25 policy?

Asked by: Nathanial Legros  |  Last update: February 4, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

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 are the rules for modifier 25?

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that Modifier 25 should only be used on claims for E/M services, and only when these services are provided by the same physician (or same qualified nonphysician practitioner) to the same patient on the same day as another procedure or other service.

What is the UHC modifier 25 policy?

For example, the description for modifier 25 (Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service) specifies that it is to be reported with an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service.

Why is modifier 25 being denied?

Key considerations for reporting modifier -25

Because the removal of the foreign body included the pre- and post-operative services, in this case, the use of modifier -25 would not be appropriate. If the doctor of optometry were to use the modifier, a claim audit would likely result in it being denied.

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.

MEDICAL CODING MODIFIER 25 - Compliantly bill an E&M and separate service on the same date

44 related questions found

Can you add modifier 25 to 99214?

Yes, you can add modifier 25 to CPT code 99214 if a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is performed on the same day as another procedure.

What are the rules for 99213?

Understanding the Documentation Requirements for the 99213 Code
  • Medical Necessity: Healthcare providers need to explain why the visit was needed. ...
  • Time-based Documentation: Providers need to spend 20-29 minutes with the patient, which is surely required to help them with decision-making.

Which scenario qualifies for modifier 25?

Modifier 25 is a way to identify a “significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service,” according to the CPT 2024 code set.

Which of the following is true about attaching modifier 25?

Modifier 25 can only be attached to an E/M code. The E/M service must be significant and clearly separate. Both an E/M code and a procedure code must be submitted by the same physician on the same day as the procedure.

Can you bill an office visit with a cast application?

A charge for procedure codes 29000-29590 is allowed only when the casting or strapping is a replacement procedure used during the period of follow-up care. The charge for an office visit is allowed only if significant identifiable further services are provided at the time of the cast application or strapping.

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.

What is the modifier 25 for AWV?

Coding and Billing a Medicare AWV

Physicians must append modifier -25 (significant, separately identifiable service) to the medically necessary E/M service, e.g. 99213-25, to be paid for both services.

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.

What is the difference between modifier 24 and 25?

Modifier 24 refers to the evaluation and management services provided to the patient on the day of a surgical procedure unrelated to the procedure itself. Modifier 25 identifies the evaluation and management services as unique services provided on the same day by the same medical professional.

What are modifier rules?

Modifier Basics

A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that modifies—that is, gives information about—another word in the same sentence. For example, in the following sentence, the word "burger" is modified by the word "vegetarian": Example: I'm going to the Saturn Café for a vegetarian burger.

Can an office visit be billed with an injection?

It is true that an evaluation and management code, an E/M or office visit, can be reported with a minor procedure such as an injection, but only if the E/M is significant and separate and exceeds the “pre-service evaluation” that is inherent to the injection.

What is the modifier 25 rule?

Modifier 25 should be appended to the office or other outpatient visit code to indicate that a significant, separately identifiable E/M service was provided on the same date as the preventive medicine E/M service, and the appropriate preventive medicine E/M service is additionally reported without a modifier.

How do you know if a CPT 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.

Can I use a modifier 25 on CPT 99396?

By appending modifier 25 to the preventive visit code (99396), the provider can accurately report both services and receive appropriate reimbursement for each.

Do you use modifier 25 with immunizations?

When an evaluation and management service (other than a preventive medicine service) is provided on the same date as a prophylactic immunization, modifier -25 may be appended to the code for the evaluation and management service to indicate that this service was significant and separately identifiable from the ...

Does modifier 25 go before 95?

When billing a telemedicine service (using modifier 95) and another service that requires modifier 25 to be used in addition, the general rule is to report the “payment” modifier before any other descriptive modifier. Since both modifier 25 and 95 can impact payment, list modifier 25 first.

What is the purpose of a coding modifier?

The modifier provides additional information about the medical procedure, service, or supply involved without changing the meaning of the code. Medical coders use modifiers to clarify what occurred during an encounter.

Which of the following cannot be counted for time-based E&M coding?

The only time that can be included in the calculation of total time is the time personally spent by the physician or QHP on the date of the encounter. Again, ancillary staff time cannot be counted; this includes medical assistants, patient care technicians, licensed vocational nurses, licensed practical nurses, etc.

How many minutes is a 99213 visit?

CPT® code 99213: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes.