tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2007 Issue 8

You Be the Coder: What's the Timing for 25?

Question: The surgeon sees a patient in consult-ation for cellulitis of the arm. The next day, the surgeon performs an incision and drainage (10061) for an abscess of the right forearm--which has a 10-day global period--for the same patient.Should I use modifier 25 in this case? Illinois SubscriberAnswer: You should only append modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) to E/M service codes, and only if a significant, separately identifiable E/M service occurs on the same day as the procedure or other...

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