AMA CPT® Assistant - 1996 Issue 12 (December)
Review of the 1997 Modifier Changes (December 1996)
December 1996 pages 8-9 Coding Communication Review of the 1997 Modifier Changes Reporting modifiers continues to be a source of confusion for many physicians and coding professionals alike. This was once again shown to be the case last month at our annual CPT Symposium, when we received many questions from people looking for insight. To help clarify the use of modifiers, CPT 1997 contains two new modifiers (-53 and -59), a revision to existing modifier -51, and a new definition concerning add-on codes. In this article, we will review the changes and see how they effect the instructions concerning...
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Article Overview
This CPT® Assistant article explains the 1997 modifier update discussion for physicians, coders, and billing staff. It covers how the CPT 1997 editorial changes affected multiple procedures, add-on coding concepts, separate procedure reporting, and discontinued procedure reporting, along with references to related HCFA terminology and example scenarios.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding this update helps readers interpret older CPT guidance and see how modifier-related policy language was being clarified during the transition to the 1997 edition. It is especially relevant for anyone researching historical coding guidance, modifier conventions, or the evolution of CPT instructions.
Article Sections
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December 1996 pages 8-9
Publication and article context for the modifier review, including where the discussion appears in the issue.
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Reporting Multiple Procedures
Background on the revised discussion of multiple procedures and the related CPT instructions referenced in the article.
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Applications of the -51 Modifier
A summary of the broad situations addressed by the revised multiple-procedure modifier discussion.
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Add-on Codes
Explanation of the new add-on-code definition and its relationship to CPT guidance and payment concepts.
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CPT Modifier -59
Overview of the new distinct procedural service modifier and the related HCFA context noted in the article.
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Separate Procedure
Discussion of the CPT separate procedure designation and its connection to the modifier guidance.
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CPT Modifier -53
Description of the new discontinued procedure modifier and the circumstances addressed by the article.
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clinicalvignettes
Illustrative examples showing how the article’s modifier discussion was presented in practical coding scenarios.
What You Will Learn
- How the 1997 CPT modifier update was organized
- Which modifier topics were revised or newly introduced
- How add-on code concepts were framed in the CPT 1997 discussion
- How separate procedure guidance relates to modifier reporting
- What kinds of example scenarios were used to illustrate the modifier changes
Who Should Read This
- CPT coders
- Physician billing staff
- Coding educators
- Compliance staff
- Medical practice administrators
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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