Modifier 53
Discontinued procedure — physician elected to terminate/discontinue a procedure due to patient risk
✅ When to Use Modifier 53
When a surgical procedure is started but discontinued due to patient safety concerns (e.g., anesthesia complications, intraoperative findings).
⛔ When NOT to Use Modifier 53
Do NOT use for elective cancellation before the procedure begins. For ASC: use 73 (before anesthesia) or 74 (after anesthesia) instead.
📋 Documentation Requirements
Document what was started, the reason for discontinuation, and what was accomplished.
Modifier 53 FAQ
What does modifier 53 mean? +
Discontinued procedure — physician elected to terminate/discontinue a procedure due to patient risk
When should I use modifier 53? +
When a surgical procedure is started but discontinued due to patient safety concerns (e.g., anesthesia complications, intraoperative findings).
When should I NOT use modifier 53? +
Do NOT use for elective cancellation before the procedure begins. For ASC: use 73 (before anesthesia) or 74 (after anesthesia) instead.
What documentation is required for modifier 53? +
Document what was started, the reason for discontinuation, and what was accomplished.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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