HCPCS Modifiers List

A modifier provides the means by which the reporting physician or provider can indicate that a service or procedure that has been performed has been altered by some specific circumstance but not changed in its definition or code.

Level I modifiers are codes and descriptors copyrighted by the American Medical Association's current procedural terminology (CPT).

Level II modifiers are codes and descriptors approved and maintained jointly by the alpha-numeric editorial panel (consisting of CMS, the Health Insurance Association of America, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association).

Modifiers may be used to indicate to the recipient of a report that:

A service or procedure has both a professional and technical component.
A service or procedure was performed by more than one physician and/or in more than one location.
A service or procedure has been increased or reduced.
Only part of a service was performed.
An adjunctive service was performed.
A bilateral procedure was performed.
A service or procedure was provided more than once.
Unusual events occurred.

Modifier	Description	Effective
QY	Medical direction of one certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna) by an anesthesiologist	Jan 01, 2001
QZ	Crna service: without medical direction by a physician	Jan 01, 1997
RA	Replacement of a dme, orthotic or prosthetic item	Jan 01, 2011
RB	Replacement of a part of a dme, orthotic or prosthetic item furnished as part of a repair	Jan 01, 2011
RC	Right coronary artery	Jan 01, 1997
RD	Drug provided to beneficiary, but not administered "incident-to"	Jan 01, 2004
RE	Furnished in full compliance with fda-mandated risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (rems)	Jan 01, 2009
RI	Ramus intermedius coronary artery	Jan 01, 2013
RR	Rental (use the 'rr' modifier when dme is to be rented)	Jan 01, 1997
RT	Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)	Jan 01, 1997
SA	Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician	Jul 01, 2001
SB	Nurse midwife	Jul 01, 2001
SC	Medically necessary service or supply	Apr 01, 2011
SD	Services provided by registered nurse with specialized, highly technical home infusion training	Jul 01, 2001
SE	State and/or federally-funded programs/services	Jul 01, 2001
SF	Second opinion ordered by a professional review organization (pro) per section 9401, p.l. 99-272 (100% reimbursement - no medicare deductible or coinsurance)	Jan 01, 1997
SG	Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service	Jan 01, 1997
SH	Second concurrently administered infusion therapy	Jul 01, 2001
SJ	Third or more concurrently administered infusion therapy	Jul 01, 2001
SK	Member of high risk population (use only with codes for immunization)	Apr 01, 2002
SL	State supplied vaccine	Apr 01, 2002
SM	Second surgical opinion	Jul 01, 2002
SN	Third surgical opinion	Jul 01, 2002
SQ	Item ordered by home health	Oct 01, 2002
SS	Home infusion services provided in the infusion suite of the iv therapy provider	Oct 01, 2004