Which modifier should be used to indicate a discontinued outpatient procedure after anesthesia administration?

• A. -53
• B. -73
• C. -74
• D. -52

Answer: (C)

When a procedure is started and anesthesia has already been given but the procedure is not completed, you signal that partial work was done after anesthesia with the post-anesthesia discontinuation modifier. This modifier shows that anesthesia was administered and the surgeon discontinued the procedure before completion, which helps ensure appropriate reimbursement for both the work performed and the anesthesia time.

This differs from a discontinuation that occurs before anesthesia is given, which uses the different discontinued modifier for that timing. A generic discontinued modifier exists as well, but it doesn’t specify whether anesthesia was given or not. Documentation should note that anesthesia was administered and the procedure was started but not completed, along with the reason for discontinuation, to support the modifier selection.

So, for a discontinued outpatient procedure after anesthesia administration, apply the post-anesthesia discontinuation modifier.