Modifier 58
Modifier 58: In a nutshell
- Modifier 58 is used when you perform a staged or related procedure within the global period of another procedure.
- Components of the first procedure, such as managing complications, are not reported with modifier 58.
- Modifier 58 often gets confused with modifiers 59 and 79.
- Complications are considered part of the original procedure, and cannot be billed separately, even with modifier 58.
Since modifier 58 is one of the more commonly used modifiers in dermatology, it’s critical to understand the ins and outs of this specific modifier.
Modifier 58 is used when you perform a staged or related procedure within the global surgical period.
It could indicate either a planned staged excision or that the patient needs further excision because you found cancer cells at the edge of the margin.
Most procedures in performed in dermatology have zero-day (Biopsy, shave removals, Mohs) 10-day (most excisions and closures) global periods. Adjacent tissue transfers and grafts have a 90-day global period.
Modifier 58 is used when the procedures are directly related
For example, you perform an excision on the cheek, histopathology report indicates there are still some cancer cells on the margin, and you perform further excision on a subsequent day. The second excision will be reported with modifier 58 as this was planned, depending on the outcome of the histopathologic examination.
Don’t confuse modifier 58 with modifiers 59 or 79
Modifier 59 is only used for distinct, unrelated services performed on the same day as another procedure.
Modifier 79 is used for completely unrelated surgical procedures performed in the global period of the previous service.
You can test your knowledge of modifier coding by taking a short Academy quiz, or see other coding quizzes.
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