Colonoscopy screening Modifier

[suec]

If a patient comes in for a screening colonoscopy no polyps or biopsies are done. Non Medicare payer - we coded Z1211 with 45378. Is modifier 33 added to the CPT code?
Is the modifier added to show this wasn't a diagnostic exam because there is no "screening" CPT code like there is for Medicare with the G codes.

 

[mconner001]

It depends on the carrier as to whether or not G0121 can be used. For those that don't accept the G code the 33 modifier isn't required (unless stated otherwise in their policy) but we always added it anyway.

 

[debemrxs4@aol.com]

We always add Modifier 33 for non-Medicare as well