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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Straighten Out Modifiers 52 and 53

Published on Sat Jan 14, 2006

Question: The ob-gyn cancelled a surgical procedure prior to anesthesia induction due to the patient's abnormal EKG and recent left-arm pain. Should I use modifier 52 or 53 in this circumstance?


Texas Subscriber
Answer: You should simply report the patient's inpatient care (99221-99223) for that day. Modifier 53 (Discontinued procedure) requires a surgical prep and anesthesia induction. You can report modifier 52 (Reduced services) only when the ob-gyn did something toward the surgery but was not successful or elected not to perform part of the procedure that was described in the code that you billed.
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