Use Modifier 73 or 74 for Unfinished Insertion
Question: The physician inserted the first lead of a pacemaker when the patient coded and died. How should I convey this? Is it appropriate to report code 33216 alone?
Florida Subscriber
Answer: You can report 33216 (Insertion of a transvenous electrode; single-chamber [one electrode] permanent pacemaker or single-chamber pacing cardioverter-defibrillator). But since the physician did not complete the pacemaker insertion, you should append modifier 73 (Discontinued outpatient procedure prior to anesthesia administration) or 74 (Discontinued outpatient procedure after anesthesia administration) to indicate that the procedure was cut short.
You should use modifier 73 or 74 when the physician doesn’t complete the procedure because the patient’s well-being is at stake.
