Which modifier should be listed first?
Asked by: Floy Rowe | Last update: July 27, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (50 votes)
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 is the order of reporting modifiers?
The proper sequencing order for modifiers is as follows: 1) pricing, 2) payment, and 3) location. Location modifier is always reported last in any coding scenario. Modifiers 26 and TC are examples of pricing modifiers while modifiers 51 and 59 are examples of payment. RT and LT are examples of location modifiers.
Does modifier 25 or 95 go first?
Since both modifier 25 and 95 can impact payment, list modifier 25 first.
Does it matter the order of modifiers?
Question: Does the modifier order make a difference? Answer: Yes. The payment modifier should be placed first and then any informational modifiers follow. A payment modifier example is -58, -79.
Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Special Edition Modifiers
How do you arrange modifiers?
- 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.
Which modifier goes first 54 or 79?
In addition, based on the surgery or postoperative care the doctor performs, an additional modifier 54 or modifier 55 must be reported along with modifier 79-LT (Example: 66982-79-55-LT). Modifier 79 is listed first because it is a pricing modifier.
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.
Does modifier 26 come before modifier 59?
If you have two pricing modifiers, the most common scenario is likely to involve 26 and another modifier. Always add 26 before any other modifier. If you have two payment modifiers, a common one is 51 and 59, enter 59 in the first position. If 51 and 78, enter 78 in the first position.
How to write a CPT code with modifiers?
CPT modifiers are added to the end of a CPT code with a hyphen. In the case of more than one modifier, you code the “functional” modifier first, and the “informational” modifier second.
In what order do you list CPT codes?
For CPT codes, you always want the most intensive procedure to be listed first and then followed by the ones that are not as intense.
What is an order modifier?
Order modifiers regulate the size and timing of planned orders, both discrete (quantity) and repetitive (rate).
Can modifier 25 be used twice?
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.
How is modifier placed correctly?
Typically, modifiers are placed right beside the noun they're modifying. Usually, this means right before or after the noun: My calico cat is always by my side.
When should you use modifier 95?
The modifier may depend on the type of service. -95: Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video communications system.
Does modifier 59 go on primary or secondary?
It should only be used if no other modifier more appropriately describes the relationship of the two or more procedure codes.” This is different from the way CPT defines modifier 59. In other words, a physician can use modifier 59 to bill the secondary, additional, or lesser procedure in an NCCI edit combination.
Does 51 or 59 modifier go first?
There is no real need to use both - EVER. Doing so is unnecessary. The -59 modifier tells you that this is a distinct procedure from the first procedure (for example two distinct lesions). The -51 modifier would tell you that you performed a second (or third or fourth...)
How to use modifier 59 correctly?
Modifier 59 should not be used (as it is unnecessary) if the narrative description of the two codes is different. Modifier 59 is used appropriately for two services described by timed codes provided during the same encounter only when they are performed sequentially.
Can you bill 99213 with 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.
Which modifier goes first 26 or 50?
Always add 26 before any other modifier. If you have two payment modifiers, a common one is 51 and 59, enter 59 in the first position.
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 is modifier 58?
Modifier 58 is defined as a staged or related procedure performed during the postoperative period of the first procedure by the same physician. A new postoperative period begins when the staged procedure is billed.
What is 57 modifier?
CPT modifier 57 may be used to report the decision for surgery for certain codes. This modifier may be used to indicate that an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed on the same day or the day before a major surgery (090 global days) by the surgeon resulted in the decision to perform the procedure.
Can you use modifier 58 and 59 together?
You can only use modifier 59 or an X modifier if no other modifier describes the relationship between the two codes you're trying to bill together. That may be modifier 25, RT, 58 or many others, depending on the circumstances.
What modifier is 77?
CPT Modifier 77 'Repeat procedure by another physician': A physician may need to indicate that he or she repeated a service performed by another physician on the same day.