Discontinued Procedure

53        Discontinued Procedure

 This modifier indicates that the physician elected to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure.  A surgical procedure may have been started, but because of extenuation or threatening circumstances was discontinued.  Modifier –53 is not used to report elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite.

 Effective January 1, 1999, a  new modifier –74 replaces modifier –53 for reporting these discontinued services.  Modifier –53 will not longer be an acceptable modifier for hospital reporting to include radiology procedures.ICD 10 training online will teach you all these in detail for medical coding.