What modifier is applied for surgical procedures where only anesthesia is provided?

The correct modifier for surgical procedures where only anesthesia is provided is -47. This modifier is specifically used to indicate that anesthesia services were administered for a surgical procedure, and it clarifies that the provider is not performing the actual surgical procedure but is instead managing the anesthesia for the patient during the operation.

Applying modifier -47 is crucial for billing and coding purposes, as it ensures that the medical records accurately reflect the services rendered. It allows proper reimbursement for the anesthesia services, distinguishing them from the surgical procedure itself. This modifier is typically used when the anesthesia provider is separate from the surgeon and highlights that anesthesia is the primary service being billed for that encounter, while the surgical procedure is not performed by the anesthesiologist.

Other modifiers, such as -76, -54, and -25, serve different purposes and are not appropriate for indicating services related solely to anesthesia during surgery. For instance, -76 refers to a repeat procedure by the same physician, -54 indicates the surgical care component is being provided by a different physician, and -25 denotes a significant, separately identifiable service performed on the same day as a related procedure. Thus, they do not apply in this context of providing anesthesia alone.