CPT Modifier 24

Description
Use CPT modifier 24 for unrelated evaluation and management service during a postoperative (global) period.

Guidelines and Instructions

• This modifier may be used to indicate that an evaluation and management (E/M) service or eye exam, which falls within the global period of a major or minor surgery and which is performed by the surgeon, is unrelated to the surgery
  • The global period of a major surgery is the day prior to, day of and 90 days after the surgery. Note that although the CPT description of CPT modifier 24 reflects "postoperative," you may submit this modifier for a visit performed the day prior to a major surgery when the visit is unrelated to the surgery.
  • The global period of a minor surgery is the day of and 10 days after the surgery
• This modifier may only be submitted with E/M and eye exam codes
• When this modifier is submitted, supporting documentation in the form of a clearly unrelated diagnosis code and/or additional documentation must be submitted with the claim. See examples below.
  • If the diagnosis for the E/M service clearly substantiates that the visit was unrelated to the surgery, there is no need to submit additional documentation
  • If additional documentation is needed, submit it in the electronic documentation record or as an attachment, for paper claims. Documentation must support that the E/M service is unrelated to the surgery.
• Special note for ophthalmologists: if the exam and prior surgery were performed on different eyes, indicate this information clearly in the electronic documentation field. HCPCS modifiers RT and LT may not be submitted with eye exam codes

• Access the database directly from the CMS website
• Select Physician Fee Schedule Search from the bottom of the web page
• Screen defaults to current year. Under Type of Information, select Payment Policy Indicators.
• Choose a single procedure code, multiple procedure codes, or a range of codes, then enter the appropriate code(s) 
• Select modifier (or select "all modifiers")
• Select Submit 
• 000 = Endoscopic or minor procedure with related preoperative and postoperative relative value units on the day of the procedure only, included in the fee schedule payment amount. E/M services on the same day of the procedure are generally not payable. For more information about E/M services on the same day as a surgical procedure with 000 global days, refer to CPT modifier 25.
• 010 = Minor procedure with preoperative relative values on the day of the procedure and postoperative values during a 10-day postoperative period included in the fee schedule amount. E/M services on the day of the procedure and during this 10-day postoperative period are generally not payable. For more information about E/M services on the same day as a surgical procedure with 010 global days, refer to CPT modifier 25.
• 090 = Major surgery with a 1-day preoperative period and 90-day postoperative period included in the fee schedule payment amount. E/M services on the day before the procedure, the day of the procedure and within the 90-day postoperative period are generally not payable. 
• MMM = Maternity codes. The usual global period does not apply.
• XXX = Global concept does not apply
• YYY = Palmetto GBA will determine whether the global concept applies and establish a postoperative period, if appropriate
• ZZZ = Code is related to another service ("add-on" code) and is always included in the global period of the other service

• Diagnosis code(s) that are clearly unrelated to the surgery
• Documentation must be submitted with the claim if the submitted diagnosis code for the visit is not clearly unrelated to the surgery
• For dates of service on and after October 1, 2015: ICD-10-CM code Z08, Z51.11-Z51.12
• Documentation indicating "immunosuppressive therapy" for organ transplants

Examples	Surgery CPT Code	Surgery Diagnosis	Visit Diagnosis
Example 1	66984 (cataract removal)	H25.811 (cataract, right eye)	H53.141 (visual discomfort, right eye)
Example 2	44950 (appendectomy)	K35.20 (acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis)	R10.30 (unspecified abdominal pain)
Example 3	32480 (removal of lung)	C34.91 (lung cancer, right lung)	J86.9 (lung infection)

• CMS Pub. 100-04, Chapter 12, Section 40.2.-40.5 (PDF, 1.10 MB)
• CMS Pub. 100-04, Chapter 23, the Addendum at the end of the chapter (PDF, 699 KB)