tci Part B Insider - 2004 Issue 2

Modifiers: Use Modifier -51 When Surgeries Share Significant Work

Use modifier -59 when procedures are totally separate Two procedures, one day. Which modifier should you use? When you have two surgeries or other non-evaluation and management procedures on the same day, you reach for a modifier to explain what happened and override National Correct Coding Initiative edits. But you have two possibilities: modifiers -51 (Multiple procedures) and -59 (Distinct procedural service).   Many coders aren't sure when to use modifier -51 rather than -59. But the differences are pretty clear-cut. You should use -51 when you're performing multiple services and want to show that you're not making an...

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