Wiki modifier 51 or 59?

[whyteraven]

Medicare patient had 2 11301 (shave excisions) done both on same leg. One was .75cm the other .5cm. Patient also had 17000 (AK destruction) done on face. Would I code the one with the highest RVU's first and then use modifier -51 on the other procedures? Or would I use modifier -59? Any comments would be welcome.

 

[reichtina320]

Medicare in our area does not want the -51, so I would use 59.

Tina

 

[Lisa Bledsoe]

When coding a separate lesion - always use modifier -59 for distinct procedural service.

 

[whyteraven]

Thank you very much! This is the first time i've used this forum and I'm finding it very useful

 

[EKMineau]

Medicare CCI edits

You should check with your Medicare CCI edits that can be found on the web site, it will tell you which code should have the modifer applied.

 

[DOyola]

Yeap and report most extensive lesion first with no modifier, then least extensive lesion w/modifier

 

[codegirl0422]

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalCorrectCodInitEd/ link to the CCI Edit link on the CMS website.

You should check with your Medicare CCI edits that can be found on the web site, it will tell you which code should have the modifer applied.