Question:
Can modifier 59 be assigned to both column-one and column-two codes listed in the procedure-to-procedure edits?
Answer:
Starting on July 1, 2019, and after, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will allow modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) and its subset of X modifiers to be appended to both the column-one and column two codes in the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) procedure to- procedure (PTP) edits. Until then, a modifier may be appended only to the column-two code to bypass the edit.
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