tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2000 Issue 3

How to Avoid Confusing Modifiers -52 and -53

Some general surgery coders have problems distinguishing between modifiers -52 (reduced services) and -53 (Discontinued procedure), in part because the CPT descriptors for both are similar in many ways. There are, however, significant differences between these two modifiers, and by following a simple guideline coders can keep them straight: Modifier -52 should be attached to codes when the surgeon completed the procedure but did not fulfill all of its requirements, and modifier -53 should be used for procedures that are terminated by the surgeon, typically because of the patients condition.For example, a surgeon would use modifier -52 in...

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