Advanced Search

General Surgery Coding Alert

General Coding:

Modifier 63 Can Be Redundant

Published on Tue Mar 10, 2026

Question: Why can’t I append modifier 63 to CPT® code 36450? The patient in question was 3 days old and weighed 3.48 kg. Maryland Subscriber Answer: CPT® code 36450 (Exchange transfusion, blood; newborn) already specifies the patient’s age. Modifier 63 (Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg) is intended to reflect the significantly increased complexity of a procedure — [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

General Surgery Coding Alert