Not all pre-procedure services constitute a separate E/M.
When an optometrist performs an E/M service and a procedure on the same patient during the same encounter, you may be able to report the E/M using modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service). Or you may not.
In order to rightfully code an E/M-25, you must prove that the E/M is a separate service and is not an inherent component of the procedure. Follow this advice to find out when to report an E/M with modifier 25, and when to leave the E/M off the claim.
Include Evidence of Separate E/M in Notes
The basics: Coders should use modifier 25 when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service is performed by the same physician at the same face-to-face encounter as a procedure or other service. The most vital element on successful modifier 25 claims is concrete evidence that the procedure and E/M were truly separate.
"The key is whether or not the E/M was medically necessary in addition to the procedure performed on the same day," says Maggie M. Mac, CPC, CEMC, CHC, CMM, ICCE, president of Maggie Mac-Medical Practice Consulting in Clearwater, Fla., and Brooklyn, N.Y.
You can only consider reporting modifier 25 when coding an E/M service.
Exception: Medicare and most other carriers treat the eye codes (92002-92014, Ophthalmological services: medical examination and evaluation …) the same as E/M codes. Therefore, if there is a separately identifiable service, you can report it with an eye code and append modifier 25
All procedure codes have an inherent E/M component, and the physician must go beyond that to justify a separate E/M. In addition, the E/M service must also meet medical-necessity criteria.
Example: An established patient with dry eye syndrome reports to the optometrist for a scheduled punctal plug insertion. After discussing the procedure with the patient and answering a few questions, the optometrist inserts a collagen plug in the patient’s right lower puncta.
In this instance, the optometrist does not perform a significantly separate E/M. The patient reported with a set appointment for the plug insertion and already had a diagnosis. On the claim, report the following:
Now check out this example: A patient complaining of eye pain reports to the optometrist. The optometrist performs a review of systems; a check of past, family and social history; a problem-focused history; and a problem-focused exam on the eye, which reveals a conjunctival foreign body (FB). The optometrist then removes the FB.
In this instance, the optometrist performed an E/M prior to performing the procedure.
You Could Have Same Dx for E/M, Procedure
As evidenced in the above example, you don’t need a diagnosis code for a separate problem to code an E/M with modifier 25. Sometimes, the circumstances justify a procedure and a separate E/M for the same complaint.
A good rule for modifier 25 claims is if an E/M service was necessary for the physician to make a medical decision to perform the procedure -- and he had to take a history, perform an exam and come to a medical decision to perform the procedure -- then a separate E/M can be charged.
But when the doctor asks a few incidental questions of the patient prior to the procedure, as is the case with most encounters, you should report the procedure code only.
Avoid Scrutiny -- Don’t Overuse 25
Some coders view modifier 25 as a "magic bullet," adding a 25 modifier to their E/Ms done on the same day as a procedure because that is the only way they can get them paid.
That kind of coding is improper and incorrect, say experts. Any practice that applies modifier 25 indiscriminately to their E/Ms will be an outlier to other practices in the volume of claims billed with modifier 25 and will be sending up red flags.