Wiki Modifier 79

[HOLLYG]

Has modifier 79 changed? I am receiving denials from several insurances when using modifier 79 on surgical cpt codes for the physician. The denial states "inappropriate use of a modifier". Example: 66984-79-LT.

 

[brucep]

Can you give a little more context for this? If you coded 66984-RT for the original procedure, and the 66984-LT was performed during the 90-day global for the 66984-RT, then modifier 79 on the 66984-LT would be correct. But without knowing what the original, unrelated procedure is, and what its global period is, it's hard to know whether 79 is being used correctly or not.