Radiology Coding Alert

Question: I heard that modifier GY's descriptor changed to include non-Medicare patients. Is this true? Kansas Subscriber Answer: Yes, it is true. Or more specifically, the descriptor added information on non-Medicare insurers. Effective July 1, modifier GY's descriptor changed from "Item or service statutorily excluded or does not meet the definition of any Medicare benefit" to "Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any Medicare benefit or for non-Medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit." You may still append GY to services Medicare doesn't cover to generate a denial the patient may use to seek secondary insurer payment.