Modifier 52 for Reduced Serv ices
Under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the physician ’ s direction. Under these circumstances, the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number 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.
Modifier 53 for Discontinued Procedures
Under certain circumstances, the physician may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. Due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. This circumstance may be r eported by
adding the modifier ‘ 53 ’ to the code reported by the physician for the discontinued procedure. Note: This modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient ’ s anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite.
