South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 1
AUTHORIZED MODIFIERS
Approved 05/01/2018
Updated: 07/19/2018
A modifier provides the means for a provider to indicate that a service or procedure was altered by a specific
circumstance but not changed in its definition or code. Pursuant to Administrative Rule of South Dakota (ARSD)
§67:16:02:03.03, modifier codes must be included on a provider's claim for services if applicable. Reimbursement for
services containing modifier codes is allowed according to ARSD §67:16:02:03.02. Modifiers not contained in this list may
not be billed to the Department and may be cause for claim denial.
South Dakota Medicaid claims are subject to a set of claims processing edits that are federally mandated. These edits,
controlled by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), are part of the National Correct Coding Initiative
(NCCI).
AUTHORIZED MODIFIERS MEDICAL SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
MEDICAL SERVICES – DESCRIPTIVE ONLY ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
ANATOMIC MODIFIERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
ANESTHESIA .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MODIFIERS ................................................................................................................................................ 14
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 2
MEDICAL SERVICES Modifiers provide additional information that describes a service rendered without a change in the procedure definition or code.
Code Description Payment Effect
22 Increased Procedural Services If the service provided is greater than that usually required for the listed procedure, it must be identified by adding modifier 22 to the procedure code. Documentation must support the substantial additional work. Note: This modifier should not be used for E/M procedure codes.
125% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% Usual and Customary Charge (UCC)
26 Professional Component Certain procedures are a combination of a physician component and a technical component. If the physician component is reported separately, the service must be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure code.
30% Established Fee- Lab
40% Established Fee- Non-Lab
No Established Fee 40% UCC
50 Bilateral Procedure Unless otherwise identified in this listing, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code.
150% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
51 Multiple Procedures If multiple procedures are performed on the same day or at the same session, the major procedure or service must be reported as listed. The secondary, additional, or lesser procedure or service must be identified by adding the modifier 51 to the secondary procedure or service code. This modifier must be used to report multiple medical procedures performed at the same session, as well as a combination of medical and surgical procedures or several surgical procedures performed at the same operative session. Bilateral procedures and surgical procedures which cannot stand alone but which are performed as a part of a primary surgical procedure are not considered multiple medical procedures and may not be reported with a 51 modifier.
50% Established Fee
No Established Fee 30% UCC
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 3
Code Description Payment Effect
52 Reduced Services Under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the physician's election. Under these circumstances the service provided must be identified by its usual procedure code and the addition of the modifier 52 signifying that the service is reduced. This provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service.
75% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
53 Discontinued Procedure If a procedure is started but discontinued because of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient, the service provided must be identified by its usual procedure code and the addition of the modifier 53.
50% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
54 Surgical Care Only If one physician performs a surgical procedure and one or more other physicians provide preoperative or postoperative management, surgical services must be identified by adding the modifier 54 to the usual procedure code.
75% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
55 Postoperative Management Only If one physician performs the postoperative management and another physician performs the surgical procedure, the postoperative component must be identified by adding the modifier 55 to the usual procedure code.
25% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
56 Preoperative Management Only If one physician performs the preoperative care and evaluation and another physician performs the surgical procedure, the preoperative component must be identified by adding the modifier 56 to the usual procedure code.
25% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
59 Distinct Procedural Service Valid if attached to a procedure code that is distinct or independent from the other services performed on the same date of service. This includes a different session or encounter, different incision/excision, different organ, separate lesion. Note: Modifier should not be used with an E/M service.
100% Established Fee
No Established Fee 30% UCC
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 4
Code Description Payment Effect
62 Two Surgeons If two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code.
50% Established Fee for each surgeon
73 Discontinued Out-Patient Hospital/Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Procedure Prior to the Administration of Anesthesia If a procedure is started but discontinued because of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient, the service provided must be identified by its usual procedure code and the addition of the modifier 73.
50% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
74 Discontinued Out-Patient Hospital/Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Procedure After Administration of Anesthesia If a procedure is started but discontinued because of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient, the service provided must be identified by its usual procedure code and the addition of the modifier 74.
50% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
76 Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional If the physician repeats a procedure or service subsequent to the original procedure or service, the repeated procedure or service must be reported with its usual procedure code and the addition of a modifier 76.
100% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
77 Repeat Procedure by Another Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional If another physician repeats a procedure or service subsequent to the original procedure or service, the repeated procedure or service must be reported with its usual procedure code and the addition of a modifier 77.
100% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
78 Unplanned Return to the Operating/Procedure Room by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional Following the Initial Procedure for a Related Procedure During the Postoperative Period
100% Established Fee
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 5
Code Description Payment Effect
If another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure and the subsequent procedure is related to the first and requires the use of the operating room, the procedure must be reported with its usual procedure code and the addition of a modifier 78.
No Established Fee 40% UCC
79 Unrelated Procedure or Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional During the Postoperative Period If another procedure or service is performed during the postoperative period and the subsequent procedure is unrelated to the original procedure, the procedure must be reported with its usual procedure code and the addition of modifier 79.
100% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
80 Assistant Surgeon Surgical assistant services must be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure code.
20% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
81 Minimum Assistant Surgeon Minimum surgical assistant services must be identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure code.
20% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
82 Assistant Surgeon when qualified resident surgeon not available The unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code.
20% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
20% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
HM Less than bachelor’s degree level counselors 50% Established Fee
HN Bachelor’s degree level counselors 50% Established Fee
JW Drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient Pay at $0 ¹
Q6 Fee/time comp subst md or pt Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area.
Claim is Denied
¹ The claim is approved and pays $0; cannot be billed to the recipient.
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 6
Code Description Payment Effect
SL State supplied vaccine Payment limited to injection only
TC Technical component Under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier TC to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier TC; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles.
70% Established Fee- Lab
60% Established Fee- Non-Lab
No Established Fee 40% UCC
MEDICAL SERVICES – DESCRIPTIVE ONLY
Modifiers allowed by South Dakota Medicaid to help describe the service provided. The inclusion of the modifiers
listed below have no payment effect.
Code Description
24
Unrelated Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional During a Postoperative Period Indicates than an E/M service was performed during the postoperative period for a reason unrelated to the original procedure.
25 Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional on the Same Day of the Procedure or Service Indicates a significant, separately identifiable E/M service performed by the same provider on the same day as a procedure or other service. The significant, separately identifiable E/M service goes above and beyond the other service provided, or beyond the usual pre-operative and post-operative care associated with the primary procedure.
27 Multiple Outpatient Hospital E/M Encounters on the Same Date Utilization of hospital resources related to separate and distinct E/M encounters performed in multiple outpatient settings on the same date must be identified by adding modifier 27 to the usual procedure code.
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 7
Code Description
57 Decision for Surgery An E/M procedure that resulted in the initial decision to perform the surgery, identified by adding the modifier 57 to the appropriate E/M service.
58 Staged or Related Procedure by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional During the Postoperative Period It may be necessary to indicate that a procedure during the postoperative period was (a) planned or staged; (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. This circumstance must be documented by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure.
91 Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test If the same laboratory test is necessary on the same day to obtain multiple test results, the services must be identified by adding modifier 91 to the procedure code.
96 Habilitative services Habilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for habilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 96 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a habilitative service. habilitative services help an individual learn skills and functioning for daily living that the individual has not yet developed, and then keep and/or improve those learned skills. habilitative services also help an individual keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems Use this to indicate the service was provided via telehealth or telemedicine technology. Note: South Dakota Medicaid requires all services provided via telemedicine at the distant site must be billed with the GT modifier to indicate the service was provided via telemedicine.
PO Services, procedures and/or surgeries provided at off-campus provider-based outpatient departments
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 8
Code Description
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
ANATOMIC MODIFIERS
Append to a service that is performed on the hands, feet, eyelids, coronary artery or left and right side of the body. The
inclusions of these modifiers have no payment effect.
Code Description
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
FA Left hand, thumb
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F3 Left hand, fourth digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
LC Left circumflex coronary artery
LD Left anterior descending coronary artery
LM Left main coronary artery
LT Left Side Used to identify items for the left side of the body
RC Right coronary artery
RI Ramus Intermedius
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 9
Code Description
RT Right Side Used to identify items for the right side of the body
TA Left foot, great toe
T1 Left foot, second digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T5 Right foot, great toe
T6 Right foot, second digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
ANESTHESIA
Anesthesia modifiers are used to correctly account for the anesthesia used during the billed procedure.
Code Description Payment Effect
23 Unusual Anesthesia If a procedure which normally requires either no anesthesia or local anesthesia must be done under general anesthesia because of unusual circumstances, it must be identified by adding modifier 23 to the usual procedure code.
100% Established Fee
No Established Fee 40% UCC
47 Anesthesia by Surgeon Regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. This does not include local anesthesia; local anesthesia is considered part of the basic procedure provided. Note: Modifier 47 should not be used as a modifier for anesthesia procedures.
AA Anesthesia services performed personally by anesthesiologist
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 10
Code Description Payment Effect
AD Medical supervision by a physician: more than four concurrent anesthesia procedures
QK Medical direction of two, three, or four concurrent anesthesia procedures involving qualified individuals
QX CRNA service: with medical direction by a physician
QY Medical direction of one certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) by an anesthesiologist
QZ CRNA service: without medical direction by a physician
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Allowable modifiers used by the Division of Behavioral Health are in the following list. Please see the Behavioral Health
Fee Schedule for payment effect unless specifically listed.
Code Description Payment Effect
AM Physician, team member service Psychiatric Service
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
EY No physician or other licensed health care provider order for this item or service Social detox; City/County Meth Program Only
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems Use this to indicate the service was provided via telehealth or telemedicine technology. Note: South Dakota Medicaid requires all services provided via telemedicine at the distant site must be billed with the GT modifier to indicate the service was provided via telemedicine.
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 11
Code Description Payment Effect
HA Child/adolescent program Substance Use Disorder Providers should use the HA modifier to indicate child or adolescent program. CMHCs should use the HA modifier to indicate Psych/CNP CYF services and for MRT/ART services and assessments.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HB Adult program, non-geriatric CARE modifier for Psych/CNP services.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HD Pregnant/parenting women's program
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HE Mental health program Substance Use Disorder Providers should use the HE modifier to indicate an individual service. CMHCs should use the HE modifier to indicate a Managed Care Exemption when providing a mental health service.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HF Substance abuse program 2.1/3.1 services; used for individuals receiving residential and outpatient services
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HG Opioid addiction treatment program Intensive Meth Treatment Program; SD Women’s Prison.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HK Specialized mental health programs for high-risk populations IMPACT modifier for Psych/CNP services. Also used in combination with “HA” to identify ART services.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HQ Group setting
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HV Funded state addictions agency Gambling Services
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
HW Funded by state mental health agency Transitional CARE.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 12
Code Description Payment Effect
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
SE State and/or federally-funded programs/services LCBHS Impact.
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
TN Rural/outside providers' customary service area
See Behavioral Health Fee Schedules
TRANSPORTATION
Billable modifiers used by the Transportation Providers are in the following list. Please see the Transportation Fee
Schedule for payment effect unless specifically listed.
Code Description Payment Effect
59 Distinct Procedural Services
DH Diagnostic/therapeutic site other than P/H to a Hospital
DS Diagnostic/therapeutic site other than P/H to a Scene of Accident/Acute Event
EH Residential/Domiciliary/Custodial fac. to a Hospital
GH Hospital-based Dialysis Facility to a Hospital
GM Multiple patients on one ambulance trip. Note: Providers need to submit the appropriate origin and destination modifiers in the first modifier position and HCPCS modifier GM in the second modifier position.
GY If a provider must bill Medicare for a denial Claim is denied
H Hospital. This modifier must be submitted for a psychiatric facility located at the hospital
HD Hospital to a Diagnostic/therapeutic site other than P/H
HE Hospital to a Residential/Domiciliary/Custodial fac.
HG Hospital to a Hospital-based Dialysis Facility
HH Hospital to another Hospital
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 13
Code Description Payment Effect
HI Hospital to a Site of ambulance transport modes transfer
HJ Hospital to a Non-Hospital-based Dialysis facility
HN Hospital to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
HP Hospital to a Physician's office
HR Hospital to Residence
HS Hospital to a Scene of Accident/Acute Event
I Site of transfer (e.g., airport or helicopter pad) between types of ambulance vehicles
IE Site of ambulance transport modes transfer to a Residential/Domiciliary/Custodial fac.
IH Site of ambulance transport modes transfer to a Hospital
II Site of ambulance transport modes transfer to another site of ambulance transport modes transfer
IN Site of ambulance transport modes transfer to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
JH Non-Hospital-based Dialysis facility to a Hospital
NG Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) to a Hospital-based Dialysis Facility
NH Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) to a Hospital
NN Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) to another Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
NP Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) to a Physician's office
NR Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) to a Residence
PH Physician's office to a Hospital
PI Physician's office to a Site of ambulance transport modes transfer
PR Physician's office to a Residence Community Transportation only ARSD § 67:16:25:06.01
QL Patient died after AMB call
QM Ambulance service provided under arrangement by a provider of services
See Transportation Fee Schedule and ARSD § 67:16:25:12:05
QN Ambulance furnished by provider Ground Ambulance refer to ARSD § 67:16:25:08
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 14
Code Description Payment Effect
R Residence
RD Residence to a Diagnostic/therapeutic site other than P/H
RE Residence to a Residential/Domiciliary/Custodial fac.
RH Residence to a Hospital
RI Residence to a Site of ambulance transport modes transfer
RN Residence to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
RP Residence to a Physician's office
SH Scene of Accident/Acute Event to Hospital
SS Scene of Accident/Acute Event to another Scene of Accident/Acute Event
TK Extra patient or passenger, non-ambulance See Transportation Fee Schedule and ARSD § 67:16:25:12:05
TN Rural/outside providers' customary service area See Transportation Fee Schedule and ARSD § 67:16:25:12:05
DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MODIFIERS
Allowable modifiers used by Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Providers to describe products or services provided to the
member.
Code Description Payment Effect
AV Items furnished in conjunction with a prosthetic devise, prosthetic or orthotic
BO Orally administered nutrition, not by feeding tube
JW Drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient Pay at $0 ¹
LL Lease/Rental Use the LL modifier when DME equipment rental is applied against the purchase price.
LT Left Side Used to identify items for the left side of the body
NU New Equipment
South Dakota Medicaid | Authorized Modifiers| Updated: July 18 15
Code Description Payment Effect
RB Replacement of a part of a DME, orthotic or prosthetic item furnished as part of a repair
RR Rental Use the RR modifier when the DME is rented
RT Right Side Used to identify items for the right side of the body
UE Used Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
¹ The claim is approved and pays $0; cannot be billed to the recipient.