A patient in a major surgery global period returns to the surgeon’s…

Question

A patient in a major surgery global period returns to the surgeon’s office for an E/M addressing a new problem unrelated to the surgery. Which modifier best allows that unrelated E/M to be considered outside the global package?

Accepted Answer

Modifier 24 on the E/M for an unrelated evaluation and management service during the postoperative period. — Unrelated office thinking during a surgical global needs modifier 24 on the E/M. It’s the ‘this visit isn’t postop fluff’ sticker.

Answer

Modifier 25 on the E/M only because a minor procedure was also done months earlier.

Answer

Modifier 57 on the postoperative E/M for every office blood-pressure check.

Answer

Modifier 79 on the E/M because E/M codes take surgical modifiers interchangeably.

A patient in a major surgery global period returns to the surgeon’s office for an E/M addressing a new problem unrelated to the surgery. Which modifier best allows that unrelated E/M to be considered outside the global package?

Short Explanation

Full Explanation