2014 CCI policy manual: Review how to bill modifier 59, post-op E/M visits and drug tests

Why This Topic Matters

The update touches several areas that frequently create claim edits and compliance risk, including same-day service bundling, postoperative encounters, discharge services, and drug screening units of service. Understanding the article helps readers determine whether their workflows may be affected by the 2014 CCI policy changes.

Article Sections

1. Modifier 59 guidance under the 2014 CCI policy manual

   Discusses the general circumstances addressed by the updated CCI policy for services that may be considered inclusive and the types of situations Medicare says to review more carefully.

2. When modifier 59 may or may not apply

   Covers the article’s discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic service combinations, anatomic-site considerations, and the role of related Medicare editing concepts.

3. E/M services during global surgical periods

   Summarizes the updated CCI guidance on postoperative evaluation and management services and related global period considerations.

4. Discharge day management services

   Describes the CCI’s expansion of guidance related to hospital discharge codes and other visit types that are not separately reportable together.

5. Urine drug screening units of service

   Addresses CCI guidance on billing limits and units of service for urine drug screening during a patient encounter.