When to use modifier 25?
Asked by: Judy Medhurst | Last update: May 19, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (17 votes)
What is the CMS guideline for using modifier 25?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that modifier 25 be used only on claims for E/M services and only when the E/M service is provided by the same physician on the same day as another procedure or service.
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.
What is the difference between 25 and 59 modifiers?
This helps ensure that healthcare services are reimbursed correctly, especially when different services seem similar but are distinct in nature and necessity. While Modifier 59 explains many separate services in one session, Modifier 25 shows vital, identifiable E&M services on the same day as other procedures.
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.
When To Use A Modifier in Medical Coding
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 the billing rule for 99214?
- Medical Necessity. ...
- Present Illness Documentation. ...
- Chief Complaint. ...
- Review Symptoms. ...
- Detailed Physical Exam. ...
- Past, Family and Social History. ...
- In-depth History. ...
- Medical Decision Making.
What is an example of modifier 25 use?
Modifier 25 would be appended to the office or other outpatient visit code to indicate that a significant, separately identifiable E/M service was provided. A postmenopausal female with diabetes, who is struggling with recurrent urinary tract infections and frequency/urgency of urination, presents for an office visit.
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.
How does modifier 25 affect payment?
Medicare allows payment when the documentation supports modifier 25. A minor surgical procedure performed has a global period of 0-day or 10-day listed on the Medicare physician fee schedule (JH) (JL) and meets the definition of modifier 25.
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 99213 and 20610 together?
Per CCI edits, CPT codes 20610-RT and 99213-25 cannot be billed together; however a modifier is allowed with supporting documentation.
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.
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.
Does modifier 25 or 95 go first?
Since both modifier 25 and 95 can impact payment, list modifier 25 first.
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.
When to use modifier 90?
Independent laboratories shall use modifier 90 to identify all referred laboratory services. A claim for a referred laboratory service that does not contain the modifier 90 is returned as unprocessable if the claim can otherwise be identified as being for a referred service.
What is modifier 26?
• Modifier 26 is appended when a physician provides the professional component only of the global fee. and when the physician prepares a written interpretation and report. • Modifier 26 should only be appended to codes which are listed in the CMS NPFSRVF as modifier 26. appropriate.
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.
What does modifier 24 and 25 indicate?
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.
Can you use modifier 25 with Medicare?
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.
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.
When should 99213 be billed?
CPT® code 99213: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes.
Can you bill a 99214 for telephone visit?
For the duration of the public health emergency, CMS and some private payers are allowing audio-only telephone calls to be billed in the same way as in-person visits and these visits will be paid in equivalent amounts as E&M codes 99212-99214.