How to Use Modifiers 59, 25, 91If you run a healthcare organization from a small physician's office to a large hospital, your billing department uses codes to document procedures, medication and techniques used to treat clients. Entering the wrong code...

1. How to Use Modifiers
59, 25, 91, 91
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2. If you run a healthcare organization from a small physician’s office to a large hospital, your
billing department uses codes to document procedures, medication, and techniques used to
treat clients. Entering the wrong code can result in improper billing and claims denials. Even if
you get it right, the codes themselves often don’t accurately reflect the level of care provided.
Medical codes transform services, procedures, and equipment into a universally understood
language. However, your medical billing clerk may need to include more information to
ensure that your organization receives the proper compensation. In addition, modifiers help
clarify the services provided to insurance companies and billing personnel.
A medical modifier consists of two numbers or letters added to CPT or HCPCS Level II codes.
Modifiers provide essential information about the service or procedure without impacting
the main code. This blog provides guidance on using modifiers 59, 25, and 91.

3. When Should You Use Modifiers?
Tack on a modifier to the appropriate CPT code when you need a better
description of services provided to clients. It’s important to avoid adding modifiers
merely to increase reimbursement. You also cannot use modifiers to bill for
procedures bundled with other services.
Working with modifiers requires care and due diligence. The descriptions aren’t
always as clear as you might hope. Also, using the wrong modifier can result in
suspicion or claim denials on the part of an insurer.
However, modifiers are critical to proper billing for your organization’s products
and services. They further clarify a CPT code to document important information.
These supplemental descriptions paint a more detailed story regarding services. In
this blog, we’re concentrating on three of the most commonly miscoded ones.
CPT modifier 59: Distinct Procedural Service
Medical practitioners use modifier 59 to distinguish distinct procedural services.
This commonly misused modifier indicates multiple procedures on different parts
of the body during a single visit. Unfortunately, coders often use it to separate
services bundled in another code. When used to prevent bundling and increase
the total bill, adding modifier 59 becomes part of fraudulent billing practices.

4. Coders should also avoid using modifier 59 to bypass controls on the insurer’s claims
processing system. Therefore, it’s important to use 59 only when there’s no more
appropriate code to describe multiple procedures.
A dermatologist performs a Photo Dynamic Therapy session on a patient’s scalp and
face.
Then, the machine is used to treat other parts of the body.
The coder enters 9656796567 – 59 into the claim system.
Modifier 59 indicates the second procedure, which required new positioning on a unique
body region.
This is a valid use of modifier 59.
Example:
Modifier 25: separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management
Modifier 25 is a separately identifiable evaluation. Further, it’s performed by the same
doctor or caregiver on the same day. Therefore, medical professionals can use modifier
25 to amend applicable CPT codes when the patient’s condition requires multiple
evaluation and management (E/M) services

5. Avoid using modifier 25 in the following circumstances:
Avoid using the 25 modifiers to bill for postoperative E/M related to prior surgery.
Don’t add modifier 25 for an E/M service not followed by a procedure.
Instruct coders not to append 25 for minimal same-day procedures unless you can show the
service was “significant, separately identifiable.”
Example:
A patient attends a cardiac appointment complaining of chest pain while exercising. The patient is
hypertensive and has high cholesterol. The cardiologist orders a stress test on the same day.
The billing clerk enters an E/M visit (99214) and a cardiovascular stress test (93015).
Using modifier 25 with the E/M code
Modifier 91
Use modifier 91 to indicate a test performed multiple times on the same day. If you use the tests for
separate specimens for unique results, apply modifier 91 to clarify the billing.
When to avoid using modifier 91:
Don’t append 91 if re-running lab tests to confirm previous results.
Avoid modifier 91 if retesting due to problems with the equipment or specimen.
Don’t use the 91 modifiers when another code includes a test series or for procedures that require a
one-time result.

6. A high blood pressure patient takes a plasma renin activity test (84244 Renin) while lying
down.
The doctor performs the same test in multiple positions to determine whether the position
contributes to hyperaldosteronism or other conditions.
Repeat renin tests are scheduled for the afternoon, but the patient is standing up this time.
The 91 modifiers can be added to the second renin (84244) procedure.
This results in two sets of lab tests for the same day on the same patient.
Understanding how to use modifiers correctly can help ensure that your claims are
processed smoothly and without incident. Refer to the CPT codebook for information on
other modifiers.
Example:

7. Thank You
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