When to use the 33 modifier?
Asked by: Hayley Barton I | Last update: July 27, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (41 votes)
When should modifier 33 be used?
Modifier 33 is a CPT® modifier used to identify medical care whose primary purpose is delivery of an evidence based service, based on recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force. Use when the USPSTF has given the service an A or B rating.
What is the 33 modifier for BCBS?
Appending modifier 33 to a procedure code indicates that the service is a preventive service and one that waives a patient's cost share on the service.
How do I know if a CPT code needs a laterality modifier?
The -RT and -LT modifiers should be used whenever a procedure is performed on one side. For instance, when reporting CPT code 27560 (closed treatment of patellar dislocation; without anesthesia), modifier -RT or -LT should be appended if only one knee is treated.
What is CPT 96127 with modifier 33?
When a primary care physician uses a standardized screening tool to evaluate the patient for depression, you may report CPT 96127 with a modifier 33 to signal the payer that it is being billed as a preventive service.
Understanding Modifier 33 #medicalcoding #modifier #cptmodifier #learnwithdhanya
What are the billing requirements for 96127?
In summary, using CPT Code 96127 requires the involvement of trained administrative staff, qualified health professionals, or other qualified individuals to conduct accurate assessments. There are no specific time constraints for the assessment, and a wide range of standardized instruments can be utilized.
Does 99497 need a 33 modifier?
Yes. Advance care planning is a preventive service only when provided in conjunction with an annual wellness visit and reported with modifier 33 attached to the advance care planning code (e.g., 99497-33).
How do you know if a code needs a modifier?
- 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.
How do you know if a modifier is used correctly?
- Always place modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify. ...
- A modifier at the beginning of the sentence must modify the subject of the sentence. ...
- Your modifier must modify a word or phrase that is included in your sentence.
When should CPT modifiers typically be used?
According to CPT, the situations when the use of a modifier may be appropriate are: 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.
Does Medi Cal accept modifier 33?
Modifier 33 may be used. Hepatitis C virus infection screening: adults 86803 86804 99384 thru 99387 99394 thru 99397 G0472 Modifier 33 may be used. For all of the HIV laboratory codes, there is no diagnosis code restriction. Modifier 33 may be used.
What CPT codes are considered preventive?
Preventive visit codes 99381-99397 include “counseling/anticipatory guidance/risk factor reduction interventions,” according to CPT. However, when such counseling is provided as part of a separate problem-oriented encounter, it may be billed using preventive medicine codes 99401-99409.
What is modifier 32 used for?
Lay Term. Append modifier 32 to a code to show that a third party mandated that the provider perform the service.
Which modifier should go first?
Informational or statistical modifiers (e.g., any modifier not classified as a payment modifier) should be listed after the payment modifier. If multiple informational/statistical modifiers apply, you may list them in any order (as long as they are listed after payment modifiers).
What qualifies as a screening colonoscopy?
Screening Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is considered screening when: You've had no lower gastrointestinal signs or symptoms before the colonoscopy. No polyps or masses are found during the colonoscopy. There's no family history of polyps or colon cancer.
Can a dermatologist bill for preventive care?
It would NOT be appropriate for a dermatologist to report a code from the Preventive Medicine range (CPT 99381-99397) because a dermatologist is a specialist.
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.
Which modifier indicates a significant?
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.
What is the best modifier?
The best universal modifier is Godly or Demonic. The two modifiers only differ in knockback, a stat that is not considered very useful (or even beneficial) in many situations. The difference in knockback is also negligible enough that Godly and Demonic can be treated as the same modifier.
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.
What are the most used modifiers in medical billing?
Understanding commonly used modifiers in medical billing is crucial for accurate reimbursement and avoiding claim denials. Modifiers such as 22, 25, 26, 33, 50, 51, and 59 play a significant role in communicating additional information about the services provided.
What modifier is not commonly used in E&M coding?
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.”
When can modifier 33 be used?
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) modifier 33 can be used when billing for ACA-designated preventive services with a commercial payer. The addition of modifier 33 communicates to a commercial payer that a given service was provided as an ACA preventive service.
Can you bill 99214 and 99497 together?
The cardiologist may submit for reimbursement for both 99214 and 99497, 30 minutes of ACP discussion.
How do you know if a CPT code needs a modifier?
- A service or procedure has both a professional and technical component, but only one component is applicable.
- A service or procedure was performed by more than one physician or in more than one location.