Q&A: Determine when to append modifier -25 for visits before surgical procedures

Article Overview

This article addresses a common outpatient coding question about evaluation and management services performed immediately before a surgical procedure. It explains the topic in general terms for hospital coders, billing staff, and compliance-oriented readers, with emphasis on distinguishing routine pre-procedure evaluation from a separately reportable service. The discussion is framed around hospital modifier guidance and mentions the broader context of modifier updates and regulations.