Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
This MAC Updates Its Modifier 51 Rules--Reminding You NOT to Use It
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Plus: Don’t take ‘credit’ for toxic drug management if you aren’t monitoring it.
Both CPT® and CMS create modifiers to make your coding easier—but sometimes those modifiers aren’t actually necessary. Such is the case with one specific modifier, according to a recent transmittal by Part B MAC NGS Medicare.
On Feb. 6, NGS Medicare issued new policy education for modifier 51 (Multiple procedures) explaining that it “denotes more than one medical/surgical procedure is being performed by the same physician on the same day during the same encounter.”
However, the MAC adds, “Medicare does not recommend reporting modifier 51 on your claim submission.” The MACs’ systems contain “hard-coded logic to add the 51 modifier to the correct procedure code,” so you don’t have to add it again, NGS says.
To read the complete guidance from NGS, visit www.ngsmedicare.com.
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