AMA CPT® Assistant - 2010 Issue 5 (May)
Modifiers (Q&A) (May 2010)
May 2010 page 10a Modifiers (Q&A) Question: Can Modifier 62, Two Surgeons, and Modifier 51, Multiple Procedures, be appended to procedures performed by burn surgeons at a regional burn/trauma center? Is it appropriate to add these modifiers to CPT codes, regardless of the physician’s or surgeon’s specialty? Answer: CPT guidelines do not require that Modifier 62 only be used when the two surgeons are of different specialties. CPT guidelines do permit both Modifiers 62 and 51 to be used on the same procedure when both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons on a second...
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Article Overview
This article explains a CPT-related question about procedure modifiers in the context of burn surgery and broader surgical practice. It is aimed at coders, billers, and clinicians who need to understand the general scope of modifier use, the role of payer policy, and the distinction between procedure-only modifiers and evaluation and management services. The discussion stays at a high level and focuses on how CPT guidance and payer determinations can differ.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding the boundaries of modifier use helps coding staff avoid assuming that specialty, codebook section, or service type alone determines whether a modifier is appropriate. The article is relevant for organizations that need to align CPT guidance with local payer rules.
Article Sections
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May 2010 page 10a
A brief dated Q&A entry introducing the topic and framing the modifier discussion in a CPT Assistant context.
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Modifiers (Q&A)
The question-and-answer discussion covers general use of selected CPT procedure modifiers, the relationship between CPT guidance and payer policy, and the distinction between procedure modifiers and evaluation and management services.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames modifier use in a CPT Q&A format
- How CPT guidance and payer policy may differ in practice
- Which broad categories of services the discussion says certain modifiers apply to
- Why specialty affiliation alone is not treated as the sole determinant in the discussion
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance staff
- Physicians and surgeons
- Revenue cycle teams
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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