Question

Middle-aged patient presents with progressive, painful restriction of the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint. The patient has been treated conservatively without success. The patient is treated surgically with a distal first metatarsal cheilectomy. This includes removal of bone at the distal first metatarsal, proximal phalanx, debridement of the MTP joint, and capsular. During the same operative session the surgeon corrects a hammertoe on the third toe. Which modifier would be assigned for the second procedure

Answer 1

The code for the second procedure would have the -59 modifier appended to it, indicating that it is a separate and distinct procedure from the first one.

In medical coding, modifiers are used to provide additional information about a procedure or service provided to the patient.

In the scenario you described, two procedures were performed during the same operative session: a distal first metatarsal cheilectomy and correction of a hammertoe on the third toe.

When multiple procedures are performed during the same session, it is important to indicate this appropriately using modifiers.

In this case, the modifier that would be assigned for the second procedure (correction of hammertoe on the third toe) is "-59."

The modifier -59 is used to indicate that a procedure is distinct or independent from other non-evaluation and management (E/M) services performed on the same day.

So, the code for the second procedure would have the -59 modifier appended to it, indicating that it is a separate and distinct procedure from the first one.

Always follow the specific coding guidelines and rules of the relevant coding system (e.g., Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes) when applying modifiers.