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Which modifier goes first 78 or 59?

Author

Avery Gonzales

Updated on February 15, 2026

Which modifier goes first 78 or 59?

If you have two payment modifiers, for example 51 and 59, enter 59 first and 51 second. If 51 and 78 are the required modifiers, you would enter 78 in the first position. Sequencing modifiers may appear confusing but in reality, it is not that difficult.

Besides, what is the correct order for modifiers?

The general order of sequencing modifiers is (1) pricing (2) payment (3) location. Location modifiers, in all coding situations, are coded “last”.

Additionally, when should modifier 59 be used? Modifier 59 should be used to distinguish a different session or patient encounter, or a different procedure or surgery, or a different anatomical site, or a separate injury. It should also be used when an intravenous (IV) protocol calls for two separate IV sites.

Besides, can modifier 78 and 59 be used together?

Answer: Modifier 78 is a global period modifier and the global period begins on post-op day one. So it is not appropriate for a same day procedure. One of the uses of Modifier 59 and the specific use XE modifier is to report a bundled procedure done at a different session on the same calendar day.

Which procedure gets the 59 modifier?

Modifier 59 may be reported if the two procedures are performed in distinctly different 15 minute time blocks. For example, one service may be performed during the initial 15 minutes of therapy and the other service performed during the second 15 minutes of therapy. Alternatively, the therapy time blocks may be split.

What is the 26 modifier?

The CPT modifier 26 is used to indicate the professional component of the service being billed was "interpretation only," and it is most commonly submitted with diagnostic tests, including radiological procedures. When using the 26 modifier, you must enter it in the first modifier field on your claim.

What is a 79 modifier?

Modifier 79 is appended to a procedure code to indicate that the service is an unrelated procedure that was performed by the same physician during a post-operative period.

What is a 78 modifier used for?

Modifier 78 is used to report the unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following an initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period.

What is the 57 modifier used for?

Modifier 57 Decision for Surgery: add Modifier 57 to the appropriate level of E/M service provided on the day before or day of surgery, in which the initial decision is made to perform major surgery. Major surgery includes all surgical procedures assigned a 90-day global surgery period.

What is the 76 modifier used for?

Modifier 76

Used to indicate a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service.

What is a 51 modifier?

Modifier 51 is defined as multiple surgeries/procedures. Multiple surgeries performed on the same day, during the same surgical session. Diagnostic Imaging Services subject to the Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction that are provided on the same day, during the same session by the same provider.

What is the Me modifier?

The modifiers ME, MF, and MG indicate to CMS that the order adhered, did not adhere, or was not applicable to the AUC respectively.

What is a UB modifier?

Magellan has just changed their policy to include this as well effect 04/01/2016- The UB modifier is for delivery up to 39 weeks and UC is for after 39 weeks. UB is to be used for when the pt is exactly 39 weeks.

What is the 58 modifier?

Modifier 58 is defined as a staged or related procedure performed during the postoperative period of the first procedure by the same physician. A new postoperative period begins when the staged procedure is billed.

What is the 55 modifier?

Modifier 55

When a physician or other qualified health care professional performs the postoperative management and another physician performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by appending this modifier to the surgical procedure.

Can modifier 58 and 79 be used together?

Here's advice on understanding and differentiating the use of modifiers 58, 78, and 79 at your medical practice. Modifiers 58, 78, and 79 are all used in conjunction with procedures performed within the global period of another procedure.

What is a 56 modifier?

Modifier 56 indicates that a physician or qualified health care professional other than the surgeon performed the preoperative care and evaluation prior to surgery.

What is a 52 modifier?

Modifier 52

This modifier is used to indicate partial reduction, cancellation or discontinuation of services for which anesthesia is not planned. The modifier provides a means for reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service.

Can you use modifier 58 and 78 together?

Modifier 58 and modifier 78 are often mixed up, because both refer to related procedures by the same physician in the post-operative period. However, modifier 58 generally describes staged/planned procedures, while modifier 78 is used for unexpected procedures.

Can modifier 59 and 76 be used together?

If the same physician repeat the procedure, use 76 and when different physician repeat the procedure same day, use modifier 77. Hope, now you will be able to code 76, 77 and 59 modifier confidently along with procedure codes.

Can you bill modifier 58 and 59 together?

If a better modifier exists, use it. In some cases, coders will append modifier -58 (staged or related procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period) instead of modifier -59.

How much does modifier 78 reduce payment?

Modifiers 78: To indicate that a complication of an original procedure was treated by a return to the operating room, catheterization or endoscopy suite. Reimbursement should be at 70-80% of the allowable fee.

What is a 59 modifier physical therapy?

Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures [and/or] services that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances.

Can modifier 59 be reported with an unlisted CPT code?

Medical modifiers are codes that can be used by the reporting health care provider to indicate a service or procedure has been performed but has been changed in some way to meet the patient's specific needs. Is it appropriate to append a modifier to an unlisted CPT code? The answer is no.

Do add on codes need modifier 59?

“Generally speaking, we do not need to report modifier -59 on add-on codes.”

What does KX modifier mean?

ensured coverage criteria

Can modifier 59 be used on labs?

Modifiers 59, XE, XP, XS, XU, or 91 should be used to indicate repeat or distinct laboratory services when reported by the Same Individual Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional. Separate consideration for reimbursement will not be given to laboratory codes reported with modifier 76 or 77.

Can you bill modifier 25 and 59 together?

A: Yes, the BCBSTX Provider website has additional links to support correct claims billing using modifiers 25 and 59. Refer to the General Reimbursement Information under Standards and Requirements. CPT, copyright 2018, by the American Medical Association (AMA). All Rights reserved.

What is a 25 modifier in medical billing?

Modifier 25 (significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management [E/M] service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) is the most important modifier for pediatricians in Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®).

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Which modifier goes first 78 or 59?