Modifier Coding Alert
Associate a Discontinued Procedure Before Anesthesia to 73
PDF
Question: My provider had a 65-year-old male patient in the operating room for the repair of a recurrent inguinal hernia. Before anesthesia could be administered, but soon after the patient was prepped and positioned, the patient complained of chest pain. Cardiac monitoring revealed ST segment changes. The procedure was cancelled. How should I code this?
Virginia Subscriber
Answer: You need to report this discontinued procedure with 49520 (Repair recurrent inguinal hernia, any age; reducible) and append modifier 73 (Discontinued out-patient hospital/ ambulatory surgery center [ASC] procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia). Because the surgeon cancelled the procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia, you need to report the procedure with the modifier.
Modifier Coding Alert
- Modifier Guidance:
Look at Published X{ESPU} Examples Some Payers Are Offering, Part 1
Now you have guidance from Moda Health to better equip yourself to pick a new [...] - Modifier Mix-ups:
You Have a Modifier 76/77 Choice to Make with Repeat Procedures
The same procedure performed twice on the same day requires a modifier to avoid claim [...] - ICD-10:
Finally You Can Code All Types of Psoriasis
Go from two to 14 codes to produce claims with more accuracy. You will have [...] - Quick Quiz:
Test Yourself with 3 Family Practice Modifier Questions
Put your modifier knowledge to the test and see where your education needs refreshing. Deciding [...] - Quick Quiz Answers:
Read Our Answers and Evaluate Your Skills
Put your modifier knowledge to the test and see where your education needs refreshing. Answer [...] - Facility Coding:
Unravel Modifier PD Criteria to See If Your Encounter Qualifies
If you miss the three-day payment window, your payment is out the window. Deciding whether [...] - Reader Question:
Watch for Details Impacting Modifier Choice
Question: During a routine visit on Monday, the physician made the decision to perform surgery later [...] - Reader Question:
Be Ready for a Minimal CF Adjustment
Question: Has the new conversion factor been updated since it was released in error in 2014? [...] - Reader Question:
Associate a Discontinued Procedure Before Anesthesia to 73
Question: My provider had a 65-year-old male patient in the operating room for the repair of [...] - Reader Question:
Claim 78 for Unplanned Returns to OR Related to the First Procedure
Question: Two days after a surgery a Medicare patient experienced a profuse trachiotomy bleed related to [...] - You Be the Coder:
Check Notes to Support a Rare Modifier
Question: Our surgeon performed an endometrial biopsy (58558). Prior to surgery, she initiated a regional block [...]