CPT Modifier Lookup — Descriptions & When to Use
Browse modifiers25
- CPT Modifier22Increased Procedural ServicesIndicates a procedure was substantially more extensive than usual and seeks review for potential additional payment.
- CPT Modifier23Unusual Anesthesia RequirementIndicates general anesthesia was required for a procedure that normally needs no or only local anesthesia; informational only, no added payment.
- CPT Modifier24Unrelated Postoperative E/M ServiceIndicates an unrelated E/M visit by the same provider during a surgical global period, billed separately from the global surgical package when supported by documentation.
- CPT Modifier25Significant, Separately Identifiable E/M ServiceSignals a significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same provider on the same day as another procedure or service.
- CPT Modifier26Professional Component BillingDenotes billing only the professional (interpretation/report) component of a PC/TC eligible service, separate from the technical component.
- CPT Modifier27Separate Same‑Day Outpatient E/MIndicates a separate, subsequent outpatient hospital E/M service on the same date by a different provider (facility use only) to seek separate facility payment.
- CPT Modifier32Mandated Third-Party ServicesSignals that a service was required by a third party (insurer, school, agency, or court); use when the service was mandated.
- CPT Modifier33Preventive Service (ACA)Flags services provided for preventive intent (USPSTF A/B or mandated preventive care) so payers can waive patient cost‑sharing when accepted.
- CPT Modifier47Anesthesia Provided by SurgeonIndicates the surgeon personally provided regional or general anesthesia for their procedure; anesthesia is generally bundled into the surgical fee.
- CPT Modifier50Bilateral Procedure BillingIndicates an identical procedure performed on both sides during the same session; report as one line, one unit, no RT/LT.
- CPT Modifier51Multiple Procedures (Modifier -51)Indicates additional, non‑exempt procedures performed by the same provider in one encounter; secondary procedures often receive reduced payment.
- CPT Modifier52Reduced Services (Provider Discretion)Indicates an elective partial reduction or omission of a procedure by the provider, reported with the usual CPT code plus modifier ‑52.
- CPT Modifier53Discontinued Procedure (Provider)Indicates a physician‑initiated procedure was started then stopped for patient safety or extenuating circumstances, affecting payment.
- CPT Modifier54Surgical Care OnlyIndicates the provider furnished only the intraoperative (surgical) portion of a procedure and transferred pre/postoperative care to another clinician.
- CPT Modifier55Postoperative Management OnlyIndicates the provider billed only postoperative management for a procedure with a global period, after a documented transfer of care.
- CPT Modifier56Preoperative Management OnlyIndicates the provider performed only preoperative management for a surgical procedure; Medicare generally does not reimburse it separately.
- CPT Modifier57Decision for SurgeryIndicates an E/M visit resulted in the initial decision to perform a major (90‑day global) surgery on the day of or the day before the procedure.
- CPT Modifier58staged or related postop procedureIndicates a planned, more extensive, or therapeutic follow-up procedure by the same provider during the original procedure's postoperative/global period.
- CPT Modifier59Distinct Procedural ServiceIndicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures are clinically and procedurally separate and documentation supports that separation.
- CPT Modifier62Two Surgeons/Co‑SurgeonsAppended when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure; affects payment and documentation.
- CPT Modifier63Procedure on infant ≤ 4 kgIndicates a surgical procedure performed on a neonate/infant ≤ 4 kg, documenting increased technical complexity.
- CPT Modifier66surgical team (three-or-more surgeons)Indicates a surgical team of three or more primary surgeons performing a single highly complex procedure; payment is adjusted and split among team members.
- CPT Modifier73Discontinued Pre‑Anesthesia ProcedureFacility-only code for procedures stopped after patient is prepped and in the room but before any anesthesia—typically reimbursed at ~50% for the facility.
- CPT Modifier74Discontinued Procedure After AnesthesiaReports an outpatient hospital/ASC procedure discontinued after anesthesia was given and the procedure had commenced.
- CPT Modifier76Repeat Procedure by Same ProviderIndicates a same‑provider repeat of an identical, medically necessary procedure on the same date to distinguish it from duplicate billing.
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Tool Description
Search CPT modifiers by code or by what you are trying to bill.
Enter a modifier directly (25, 59, 26) or describe the situation (“bilateral procedure,” “repeat procedure,” or “two surgeons”).
Covers the E/M and procedure modifiers billers use every day, such as 24 and 57 for E/M services around procedures, 50 for bilateral procedures, 76 for repeat procedures, and 62 for co-surgeons. Plus anesthesia physical status modifiers (P1–P6) and Category II reporting modifiers.
Every modifier page includes a plain-language description, when to use it, clinical scenarios, related modifiers, and linked payer policy context.
Browse the full list at CPT modifiers, or pair a modifier lookup with the billing code lookup, the prior authorization lookup, and payer profiles.
FAQ
Type a modifier code (25, 59, 26) or describe what you need (“bilateral procedure,” “repeat procedure,” “professional component”) into the search bar. Filter by modifier category to narrow results. Open any result for the full modifier page: description, when to use it, clinical scenarios, related modifiers, and payer policy context.
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Modifiers only tell half the story of a claim. Browse all CPT and HCPCS billing codes to see how they are billed, or follow payer policy changes in the live policy feed.
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Sources
References
- 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
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