Radiology Coding Alert

Modifier GA soon will apply to required ABNs only. If you started coding a decade ago, you may remember using modifier GX for noncovered services. You'll have a new modifier GX in 2010, but it has an allnew descriptor and all-new rules. What's new: CMS will update two advance beneficiary modifier (ABN) modifiers effective April 1, according to MLN Matters article MM6563, dated Oct. 29. The ABN descriptors will read as follows: • Modifier GA will change from "Waiver of liability statement on file" to "Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy." You'll use this when your practice issued a required ABN. • All-new modifier GX will be defined as "Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy." You'll append this modifier to claims when you've issued a voluntary ABN. Currently, you can append modifier GA when you issue the ABN for either required or voluntary reasons, [...]