i work for a family practice physician. a patient is having surgery; she had a pre-op exam, labs and ekg - everything was paid for but the ekg. i refiled with a 56 modifier on the ekg and that was denied as well. i didn't bother putting the 56 on the pre-op exam b/c they deny on that as well (we're talking medicare) this patient does not have a comorbid diagnosis that would cover an ekg normally like hypertension, etc. does anyone know how to get a pre-op ekg covered in these circumstances? any suggestion would help. Thanks!