History
1/00 Implementation
1/00 Revised to correct billing guideline for modifier -50.
3/00 Removed Blue Edge reference.
8/00 Clarification that -59 modifier will affect claims processing for Blue Care, Blue Choice, Blue Options, and Classic Blue in the ’When it is covered’ and ’When it is not covered’ sections.
01/02 Updated information pertaining to the place of service for a -25 modifier. Section added to indicate when a -25 modifier is not covered. Added information pertaining to the -57 modifier in both the covered and non-covered sections.
05/03 Added modifier - MS and -RP in the ’When it is covered’ section.
10/03 Medical Policy Advisory Group review - 10/2003.
02/04 This policy applies to Blue Care, Blue Choice, Blue Options, and Classic Blue products only. Clarified this point in the policy. Statement removed from modifier -59 explanation.
4/07/05 Medical Policy Advisory Group reviewed policy on 03/10/2005. Medpoint and PCP removed from this policy. Corrected typos.
3/16/06 Renamed sections “When it is covered” and “When it is not covered” to read “When a modifier may be covered” and “When a modified may not be covered.” Added the policy number to Key Words section. Added the following statement “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina uses the American College of Surgeons as its primary source for determining those procedures available for assistant surgeon benefits to Modifier -80, -81, -82 and AS. Modifier -21 removed from policy. .Statement that applied to PPO/CMM was removed from modifier -59.
5/8/06 Added statement to the section "When a modifier may not be covered" to read: Modifier -22 will not affect claims processing adjudication. In general, BCBSNC does not allow a severity adjustment to fee allowances. Payment for new technologies is based on the outcome of the treatment rather than the "technology" involved in the procedure. Added policy number to Key Words section. Medical Policy Advisory Group review 3/24/06 including revisions noted above. No additional changes required to policy criteria.
10/16/06 In the section "When a Modifier may be covered" revised procedure(s) to service(s) pertaining to Modifier -25. Statement added "The - 25 modifier will not be recognized with a minimal office visit for an established patient (99211) performed on the same date as a preventative medicine visit (99391 - 99397)." Removed the statement "Modifier - 25 is not recognized for an separate E&M service performed on the same date as a preventive medicine visit." in the section "When a Modifier may not be covered."
9/10/07 Modifier GT - Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems will be allowed with code 99201 - 99205, 99212 - 99215(Office or Other Outpatient Services) and 99241 - 99245 (Office or Other Outpatient Consultations) added to “When a Modifier may be covered”. Modifier GQ - Via asynchronous telecommunications system will not be allowed specifically with code 99201 - 99215(Office or Other Outpatient Services) and 99241 - 99245(Office or Other Outpatient Consultations) and Modifier GT - will not be recognized with a minimal office visit for an established patient (99211) added to “When a modifier may not be covered”. Modifier GT - will not be recognized with a minimal office visit for an established patient (99211) added to “When a modifier may not be covered.” Added to Policy Guidelines: BCBSNC does not reimburse for evaluation and management and consultation services provided via telephone, Internet, or other communication network or devices that do not involve direct, in-person patient contact. Revised wording related to modifier 57 from “Modifier - 57 designates the decision to do surgery. It is accepted only with inpatient and observation E&M codes when the decision is made to do a major surgical procedure. A major surgical procedure is defined as one with a 90 day global period. The global period starts the day prior to surgery. The modifier is appropriate to signify that the decision was made to do a major surgery procedure within the global period.” to “Modifier 57 - is an evaluation and management service that results in the initial decision to perform surgery.” from “When a modifier may be covered.” Statement “Modifier -57 will not be recognized with any E&M code other than inpatient or observation” removed from “When a modifier may not be covered”. Medical Policy reviewed 08/17/07 by Senior Medical Director of Provider Partnerships, Medical and Reimbursement Policy.
12/03/07 Reference added to clarify that “Blue Advantage” applies to this policy. Statement, “Modifier -25 will not be recognized with inpatient E&M services.” removed from “When a Modifier may not be covered”.
07/20/09 Added modifier -54, -55, and -56 to “When a Modifier may be covered.” Removed references related to American College of Surgeons. Added nurse practitioner and nurse midwives to modifier “AS”. New modifiers PA, PB and PC are effective 7/1/2009, which describe serious adverse events. Removed references to Blue Advantage, Blue Care, Blue Choice, Blue Options, and Classic Blue Products Policy reviewed by VP/ Senior Medical Director of Provider Partnerships, Medical and Reimbursement Policy.
6/22/10 Policy Number(s) removed (amw)
09/14/10 Removed “BCBSNC does not reimburse for evaluation and management and consultation services provided via telephone, Internet, or other communication network or devices that do not involve direct, in-person patient contact.” Added modifier -52, -RA and –RB and deleted modifier RP. Policy reviewed by VP/ Senior Medical Director, Healthcare Quality.
3/15/11 Added Modifier -59 will not allow additional payment when appended to CPT4 codes 63005, 63012, 63017, 63030, 63035, 63042, 63044, 63047 and 63048 and when performed in conjunction with 22630 and 22632. Lumbar laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy procedures are typically considered incidental to the lumbar arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique; and therefore are not eligible for separate reimbursement. Changes to policy reviewed by Senior Medical Director 3/10/2011. Notification given 3/15/2011. Policy effective 6/19/2011. Added “same group practice” to modifier 24.(dpe)
06/07/11 Further clarification of Modifier -59; added the following statements: “Based on the most common clinical scenario, it is expected that when a lumbar laminectomy, facetectomy, and/or foraminotomy is billed with a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, the procedures are being performed on the same level. In the unusual clinical circumstance when the procedures are performed at different vertebral levels, clinical information will be required to be submitted on appeal.” (dpe)
3/6/12 Revised the definitions of the modifiers. The sections formerly titled “when a modifier may be covered” and “when modifiers may not be covered” were combined into one section titled “when a modifier may affect claims payment.” Information added to the Policy Guidelines section regarding fracture care codes and anesthesia modifiers. (adn)
12/10/13 In the “Policy” section, deleted modifier 22 from the list of modifiers that may affect claims payment. In the “Modifier Guidelines” section, bulleted section on Modifier 59: added codes 22633 and 22634 so that the statement reads: “Modifier 59 will not allow additional payment when appended to CPT4 codes 63005, 63012, 63017, 63030, 63035, 63042, 63044, 63047 and 63048 when performed in conjunction with 22630, 22632, 22633 and/or 22634.” Statement regarding anatomic-specific modifiers was reworded and modifiers LM and RI added to the list of coronary artery anatomic modifiers. In the “Policy Guidelines” section: deleted the statement “BCBSNC claims system processes only one modifier per CPT code.” Notification given 12/10/13 for effective date 2/11/14. (adn)
5/13/14 Policy category changed from “Corporate Medical Policy” to “Corporate Reimbursement Policy”. No changes to policy content. (adn)
12/30/14 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established four HCPCS modifiers to define subsets of the -59 modifier. Modifiers XE, XS, XP, and XU added to the -59 modifier section. BCBSNC will continue to recognize the -59 modifier. The CMS modifiers (XE, XS, XP, XU) are considered informational only. (adn)
7/28/15 Added “AJ, P3, P4, P5, QW, SH, SJ” to list of HCPCS modifiers that may affect claims payment. Revised Modifier GQ to read: services performed via asynchronous telecommunications system will not be allowed. Revised Modifier GT to read: services performed via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems will be allowed with codes specified in corporate reimbursement policy titled, “Telehealth.” (adn)
9/1/15 The following statement was deleted from the paragraph regarding Modifier 59: “BCBSNC will continue to recognize the 59 modifier. The CMS modifiers (XE, XS, XP, XU) are considered informational only.” (adn)
12/30/16 The following guideline added: Effective 1/1/2017 in order to support Control/Home Plans’ compliance with the Federal requirement to separate visit limits for habilitative and rehabilitative services, Par/Host Plans may need to require that their providers are using the HCPCS modifier “SZ” when billing for habilitative services. (See policy titled “Rehabilitative Therapies”). Information added regarding modifier 95. (an)
3/31/17 Modifier 59 (or XE, XS, XP, XU) will not allow additional payment when a diagnostic endoscopic base code is submitted with a surgical endoscopic code from the same endoscopic family. The endoscopic family is defined by the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Notification given 3/31/2017 for policy effective date of 5/26/2017. (an)
7/28/17 Modifier 54 (surgical care only) is not appropriate to use with fracture care codes for closed treatment without manipulation in the emergency department. Notification given 7/28/2017 for policy effective date of 9/29/2017. (an)
11/28/17 HCPCS Level II anatomic specific modifiers E1-E4 (eyelids), FA-F9 (fingers), TA-T9 (toes), RC, LC, LD, RI, LM (coronary arteries), and RT / LT (right / left) designate the area or part of the body on which the procedure is performed. Codes for site-specific procedures submitted without appropriate modifiers are assumed to be on the same side or site. Services provided on separate anatomic sites should be identified with the use of appropriate site-specific modifiers to allow automated, accurate payment of claims. (See also reimbursement policy titled “Maximum Units of Service”). Modifier 50 is used when bilateral procedures are performed on both sides at the same operative session. (See also reimbursement policy titled “Multiple Surgical Procedure Guidelines for Professional Providers”). Notification given 11/28/17 for effective date of 1/27/18. (an)
2/9/18 Modifier AX – item furnished in conjunction with dialysis services. J0605 and J0606 are drugs used for bone and mineral metabolism for the treatment of End Stage Renal Disease. They are eligible for Transitional Drug Add-On Payment Adjustment when billed with AX modifier. Notification given 2/9/2018 for policy effective date 4/13/2018. (an)
4/27/18 Correction for codes related to Modifier AX. Correct codes are J0604 and J0606. (an)
12/31/18 Routine annual review. No change to current policy. (an)
4/30/19 Corrected typo. Modifier “SP” changed to “XP” throughout. (an) 1/14/20 Routine policy review. Senior Medical Director approved 12/2019. No changes to policy statement. (an)
11/24/20 Policy guidelines updated with “*01960 and 01967 are considered non-timed procedures and therefore do not require a modifier.” No change to policy statement. (eel)
12/31/20 Routine policy review. Medical Director approved 12/2020. No changes to policy statement. Deleted code 99201 removed. (eel)
4/20/21 Policy format update. No changes to policy statement. (eel)
6/1/21 Updated modifier 25 to redirect to Evaluation and Management Services policy. (eel)
12/30/21 Routine policy review. Modifiers 53, 73, and 78 added to policy statement. Added related policies for Split Surgical Package, Discontinued Procedures, and Unplanned Return to Surgery. Medical Director approved. (eel)
6/1/22 Policy language updated throughout. Policy section restated as Blue Cross NC utilizes modifiers in determining reimbursement and eligibility. Services billed with inappropriate modifiers or that lack the appropriate modifier according to this policy will not be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement Guidelines updated with instructions for Modifier 59, Repeat or Unplanned Procedures, Modifier 90, Modifier 92, Modifier SL, Combined Mammography, Anesthesia Modifiers, and Professional and Technica Components. Medical Director approved. Notification on 3/31/2022 for effective date 6/1/2022. (eel)
12/31/2022 Routine Policy Review. Added “Refer to Telehealth Policy” under Modifier GQ description. Added link to Telehealth Policy under Related Policies. (cjw)
5/2/2023 Clarification to AX modifier, coding update. Notification on 3/1/2023 for effective 5/2/2023. (cjw)
9/28/2023 Added Erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) modifiers, deceased modifiers, Modifier PI, and X-Ray Transportation. Medical Director Approved. Notification on 7/18/2023 for effective date 9/28/2023. (tlc)