In modern urgent care, an occasional consultation can quickly turn into a discussion on symptoms unrelated to the main cause of the visit. Do you understand when it’s appropriate to apply Evaluation and Management (E/M) modifier 25?
When a modest procedure and a major independently distinct assessment (E/M) services are conducted in the very same session or day, modifier 25 is applied. An essential consideration in CPT is modifier 25. It enables the collection of physician work done when various E/M services are offered simultaneously as another E/M visit or procedural therapy. That makes it easier to use your time and may save the patient from having to go back. However, because many payers, including Medicaid, do not accept this modifier, its usage has been associated with dissatisfaction.
We understand how to apply this modifier properly and what documentation is necessary to prevent complications and evaluate unjustified claim cancellations or underpayments. We have presented current rules and regulations, along with clinical circumstances.
Key Points:
- Physicians and qualified non-physician practitioners (NPP) should use CPT modifier -25 to assign a substantial, distinct, and separate E/M service provided to the same patient by the same physician/qualified NPP on the same day another technique or other service with a global fee period.
- Modifier -25 of the Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) specifies a significant, individually identifiable assessment and management (E/M) service. It should be used when the E/M service exceeds the customary pre-and postoperative treatment activity with a worldwide fee period conducted on the same day as the E/M service.
- Distinct diagnoses are not necessary if the E/M service is reported on the same date as the operation or other services with a worldwide fee period. Modifier -25 is appended to the claim’s E/M code.
- The physician or competent NPP must adequately record the medical necessity E/M service and process in the patient’s medical record to assist the need for Modifier -25 on the claim for these offerings, even if the paperwork is not needed be presented with the claim.
- Your provider will not withdraw previously paid claims or pay claims handled before the introduction of CR5025 effectively. They will, however, amend claims come to their notice.
- Carriers will not reimburse for an E/M service recorded in conjunction with a treatment with a global fee period unless CPT modifier -25 is applied to the E/M service to distinguish it as a major and independently recognizable E/M service from the process.
Appropriate use
- Specifies that on the day of a surgery or other service mentioned, the patient’s condition necessitated a significant, individually identifiable E/M service in addition to or in addition to the typical preoperative and postoperative care connected with the procedure that was conducted.
- Use to signal that an E/M service or eye exam done on the same day as a minor operation (000 or 010 worldwide days) and performed by a surgeon is important and distinct from routine surgery work.
- When a separate and distinct E/M service is conducted on the same day as chemotherapy or non-chemotherapy infusions or injections, new patient CPT codes are necessary because they are not considered surgery.
- With E/M code, a different ICD-10 code than the one filed with routine surgery is not necessary. E/M service and other procedures may have the same or different diagnoses.
- To identify that an E/M service was performed the same day as another treatment that would typically be bundled under the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI). This qualifier indicates that E/M service was conducted for a cause unconnected to previous procedures in this case.
- To charge for an E/M service, a history, exam, and medical decision-making must be completed (HEM). All treatments entail some form of patient evaluation and management service. A distinct E/M should have its HEM. The physician must assess if the condition is severe enough to necessitate more work to complete important components of concern E/M service.
Inappropriate use
Do not attach to E/M codes specifically for new patients (CPTs 92002, 92004, 99201-99205, 99321-99323, and 99341-99345). These codes are specified as new patient codes and are generally omitted from global operation package edit. They are compensated independently from the surgical treatment, and no modifier is needed if the visit fulfills important and individually identifiable standards.
- Other than one physician doing the procedure.
- Never use when paperwork proves that the quantity of work accomplished is consistent with what is generally done with the process.
- If it is charged with a process or service that has a no-global-fee term, do not use it.
When using Modifier 25, keep the following rules in mind:
- Modifiers must notify third-party payers of situations that may change how payment is made – the modifiers convey the narrative of what is currently being done!
- Always associate the modifier with the E/M CPT code.
- It is not required to have two distinct diagnosis codes.
- Both the E/M and the operation must be documented.
Understanding the proper use of modifier 25 and the accompanying paperwork is crucial for preventing difficulties and adjudicating incorrect claim rejections or underpayments. The primary condition of a “major and independently identifiable” E/M service is that the effort for the E/M service is much more and distinct from the ordinary preoperative and postoperative E/M work included in the minor operation. After viewing the examples for modifier 25, are you still perplexed? Don’t worry; we have a skilled coding staff that employs precise modifiers to avoid rejections. To learn more about our medical billing services, contact us at rcmexpertz@gmail.com.
About us
Billing Executive – a Medical Billing and Coding Knowledge Base for Physicians, Office staff, Medical Billers and Coders, including resources pertaining to HCPCS Codes, CPT Codes, ICD-10 billing codes, Modifiers, POS Codes, Revenue Codes, Billing Errors, Denials and Rejections.
We have more than 10 years experience in US Medical Billing and hand-on experience in Web Management, SEO, Content Marketing & Business Development with Research as a special forte.
Learn More
Medical Necessity Denial and Tips to Avoid it
Understand and Recognize the Types of CPT Codes 2022
Important Steps to Follow in Medical Billing Process
Understand and Recognize the Types of CPT Codes 2022