Modifier 57

Decision for Surgery. An evaluation and management service that resulted in the initial decision to perform surgery may be identified by adding modifier 57 to the appropriate level of E/M service.

Major surgery includes E/M services provided on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure.

To unlock the rest of this article, and hundreds of coding education resources in our on-line library, become a member!

Our mission is to provide accurate, comprehensive, up-to-date coding information, allowing medical practices to increase revenue, decrease coding denials and reduce compliance risk. That's what coding knowledge can do.

In 1988, CodingIntel.com founder Betsy Nicoletti started a Medical Services Organization for a rural hospital, supporting physician practice. She has been a self-employed consultant since 1998. She estimates that in the last 20 years her audience members number over 28,400 at in person events and webinars. She has had 2,500 meetings with clinical providers and reviewed over 43,000 medical notes. She knows what questions need answers and developed this resource to answer those questions. For more about Betsy visit www.betsynicoletti.com.