Move to the Head of the Class by Understanding Q Modifiers for Foot Care
Question: I’m new to podiatry coding and I was told I needed to append a class-finding modifier to a routine foot care code for a Medicare patient before submitting the claim. What are class-finding modifiers? Colorado Subscriber Answer: Routine foot care is typically excluded from Medicare coverage, but there are exceptions that could warrant reimbursement for services. According to Novitas Solutions, “Medicare allows exceptions to this exclusion when medical conditions exist that place the beneficiary at increased risk of infection and/or injury if a non-professional would provide these services.” For example, systemic conditions that can lead to decreased sensation over the foot or leg — or when foot care is essential to treating other conditions, such as ulcers, warts, wounds, or infections — allow for coverage of routine foot care. When the documentation supports reporting codes related to foot care, you’ll need to append a class-finding modifier to the code. The HCPCS Level II class-finding modifiers include: Healthcare providers use class findings to determine the level of foot care needed for the patient. Depending on what the provider discovers while treating the patient, they’ll document class A, B, or C findings. Examples of the different class findings include: Append Q7 when one class A finding is documented. Modifier Q8 requires two class B findings to be documented. You’ll use Q9 when the medical record includes one class B and two class C findings. You’ll usually append the modifiers to the following codes: Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
