Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: CPT 2009's inside cover states that the definition for modifier 22 is -Unusual procedural services.- Has the AMA changed the definition of this modifier?

South Carolina Subscriber

Answer: The definition of modifier 22 should not be -Unusual procedural services.- In 2008, the modifier descriptor was changed to -Increased procedural services.-However, the change didn't make it to the inside cover and was corrected with an AMA Corrections Document. Visit the American Medical Association's (AMA) Web site to access the PDF of this change (www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/362/2009cptcorrections.pdf).

Helpful tip: When you scan the PDF of errata, keep your CPT 2009 manual handy and mark all of the updates and corrections directly in your manual. That way, you are certain to be working with the most up-to-date information when you-re coding procedures and won't have to continually refer back to the document.