I have a question on how to correctly code a pre-op exam. I work at a family practice office and we occasionally do pre-op exams for surgeons that request the preop exam. Do we code an E&M level (9921X) or do I need to get the surgical code that the surgeon will be using and bill the surgical CPT code with a modifer 56 ? Ive tried to do some research on this and I've heard people doing it both ways. If the answer is to use the surgical CPT code, what if the surgery changes into a more extensive surgery... this may change the CPT code, does that affect anything? I would appreciate anyones help!