Revenue Cycle Insider

General Coding:

Lean on Modifier 51 for This Scenario With Multiple Procedure Sites

Question: Our general surgeon removed a 2.5 cm benign lesion from the patient’s upper back and, in the same operative session, also removed a separate 1.5 cm benign lesion from the left forearm. Both procedures were medically necessary and performed by the same physician on the same date of service. Neither procedure code is an add-on code. Should I append [...]
Codify by AAPC
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles of

May 2026

View All
Subscribe to newsletter