Wiki Visits unrelated to OB care

[kewing]

Hi all.

I have been questioned on my use of the modifier -25 for office visits that are unrelated to OB care while the patient is pregnant. It has been suggested to me that -24 is more appropriate, because the patient is within a "global period". Since the patient has not delivered and we are not in a post-op period, I don't think -24 is correct. Does anyone else have insights/references on this?

Thanks much.

 

[mitchellde]

you are correct that they are not in a post op period but they are in a global, while the use of the 24 does not seem a good fit, it is the modifier to use for a visit within the global, and the modifier most carriers instruct us to use for non-OB encounters within the global.

 

[kewing]

Thanks for your response Debra. There is always learning with this job.
When you say "instructed to use" is that by the insurance companies or coding authorities? It may be that my use of the -25 modifier was started because of a payor requirement. Do you know of any resources to which I can refer?

Karen