When should modifier 33 be used?

Modifier 33 is applied to indicate that the preventive service is one that waives a patient’s co-pay, deductible, and co-insurance. An exception is that modifier 33 does not have to be appended to those services that are inherently preventive (for instance, screening mammography).

How do you code a colonoscopy with history of polyps?

When reporting the diagnosis code, I would suggest reporting Z12. 11 (encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of the digestive organs) and Z86. 010 (personal history of colonic polyps) second.

How do you code a screening colonoscopy turned diagnostic?

If a polyp or lesion is found during the screening procedure, the colonoscopy becomes diagnostic and should be reported with the appropriate diagnostic colonoscopy code (45378-45392). For Medicare patients, the PT modifier would be appended to the code to indicate that this procedure began as a screening test.

What modifier should be used for screening of colonoscopy?

2) Append the –PT modifier to the CPT® code. The –PT modifier indicates a screening colonoscopy has been converted to a diagnostic test or other procedure.

What is modifier 33 in coding?

preventive services
Append modifier 33 to a code to alert the patient’s payor that you provided the preventive services and cost sharing does not apply.

Which among the following can you appropriately apply modifier 33?

Apply Modifier 33 to All Eligible Services If a physician provides multiple preventive medical services to the same (non-Medicare) patient on the same day, append modifier 33 to the codes describing each preventive service rendered on that day.

What does CPT code 45385 mean?

45385. Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique.

What is the difference between 45380 and 45385?

45380—Colonoscopy, with biopsy, single or multiple. Hint: The physician may use the words “biopsy forceps,” or “Jumbo forceps.” Fee amount $468.96. 45385—Colonoscopy, with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), lesion(s) by snare technique.

What is the difference between modifier Pt and 33?

Modifier 33 is a valid CPT modifier and may be used for all payers. Check with individual payers for their instructions. Modifier PT is more specialized and will be used by fewer practices. It is a HCPCS modifier, used to indicate that a colorectal screening service converted to a diagnostic or therapeutic service.

Does Medicare pay for modifier 33?

Medicare payors do not recognize modifier 33, and will not reimburse claims submitted with the modifier. Medicare requires the use of dedicated G codes to describe covered preventive services (e.g., G0202 Screening mammography, producing direct digital image, bilateral, all views).

Does 45385 need a modifier?

Medicare has a separate modifier for situations in which polyps are found and removed during a screening colonoscopy. In these instances, the correct CPT code is used (for example, 45385), but with modifier PT.

Does CPT code 45385 include biopsy?

You can bill 45380 and 45385 when biopsy and lesion/polyp removal performed at different sites of the cololn (eg: biopsy at ascending colon, polyp removal at descending colon) with an appropriate modifier 59 (before 2014) or XS (from 2015 onwards).

What modifier is used for 45380 and 45385?

modifier 59
The NCCI PTP edit with column one CPT code 45385 (Flexible colonoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or lesion(s) by snare technique) and column two CPT code 45380 (Flexible colonoscopy with single or multiple biopsies) is often bypassed by using modifier 59 or -X{EPSU}.

How does modifier 33 affect reimbursement?

When appended to a CPT® code describing a preventive service, modifier 33 alerts the insurer that the service is covered and payable under the ACA. Here are the essential facts to apply modifier 33 with success. Medicare payors do not recognize modifier 33, and will not reimburse claims submitted with the modifier.

When can CPT 45380 and 45385 be billed together?