Which E/M modifier is appropriate to use with this scenario: A patient presents to the orthopedist's office with a complaint of severely sore knee while in the post-operative period for a carpal tunnel decompression performed by the same provider.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Modifier 24 is used to indicate an unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period. In this scenario, the patient's sore knee is unrelated to the carpal tunnel decompression surgery, and since it's within the postoperative period of that surgery, modifier 24 is appropriate to signify that the visit is not related to the postoperative care of the carpal tunnel surgery.

Which E/M Modifier Is Appropriate to Use with This Scenario