When to use 25 and 59 modifiers?
Asked by: Aliza Watsica II | Last update: August 9, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (69 votes)
What is the 59 modifier 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.
What is the 25 modifier used 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 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.
What are the CMS guidelines for using 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.
Modifier-25
What is the difference between modifier 25 and 59?
Modifier -59, “Distinct Procedural Service,” is similar to modifier -25, but it's applicable to procedural, rather than E/M, services.
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.
How much does a modifier 25 reduce a 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 ...
Does Medicare accept modifier 59?
You may report modifier 59 or XU for a diagnostic procedure performed before a therapeutic procedure only when the diagnostic procedure is the basis for performing the therapeutic procedure. View the Medicare Learning Network® Content Disclaimer and Department of Health & Human Services Disclosure.
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.
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 use modifier 25 with Medicare?
Medicare does require modifier 25 for E/M services provided in conjunction with other vaccine administration codes, including CPT codes 90480, 90460, 90461, 90471, 90472, 90473 and 90474. Private payers may have different policies.
Can you bill both modifier 25 and 57 together?
Both Major and Minor Surgeries on the Same Day When a decision for surgery includes both major and minor surgeries and is made the day of surgery, the E&M billed for the decision must have both modifier –57 and modifier –25 appended.
What is modifier 25 example?
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).
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.
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.
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.
Are modifier 25 and 59 interchangeable?
Recently, ACP has received several member inquiries regarding the use of CPT modifiers 59 and 25 in conjunction with evaluation and management (E/M) codes. The two modifiers are very similar, but not interchangeable.
What is an example of a modifier 59?
Another example would be if the patient were having a nerve conduction study with CPT codes 95900 and 95903 being billed. If the two procedures are done on separate nerves, then the 59 modifier should be used to indicate that. If the codes were performed on the same nerve, then the 59 modifier should not be used.
When should a 25 modifier be used?
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.
What is the modifier for two ER visits same day?
What is the modifier for two visits on the same day? The modifier commonly used for reporting two E&M visits on the same day is modifier 25. It signifies a significant, separately identifiable E&M service provided by the same healthcare professional on the same day.
What are the newly mandated HCPCS modifiers that are a subset of modifier 59?
Modifiers X{EPSU}: The X{EPSU} modifiers are described by HCPCS as modifiers to be used for a distinct separate encounter (XE), separate practitioner (XP), separate structure (XS), or unusual non-overlapping service (XU) and are considered subsets of modifier 59 for selective identification.
How do you know if its 99213 or 99214?
The primary difference between CPT code 99213 and 99214 lies in the complexity and time involved. While 99213 is for a low level of medical decision-making, 99214 is used for moderate complexity, requiring a higher level of medical decision-making and more extensive history and examination.
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.
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.