Pre- or post-operative care is in the surgery payment
The visit falls inside the global surgical period, so its payment is included in the surgery fee.
Usual causes
- Post-operative visit billed during the 10- or 90-day global period.
- Visit for an unrelated problem during the global period billed without modifier 24.
- Decision for surgery visit the day before or the day of a major surgery without modifier 57.
The fix
If the visit was unrelated to the surgery, add modifier 24 (or 79 for an unrelated procedure) and resubmit with the different diagnosis. If it was routine post-operative care, write it off.
Appeal or corrected claim?
Corrected claim with modifier 24, 57 or 79 when the visit was separate; otherwise a write-off.
Deadline to watch
Timely filing limit.
Exact limits are in your payer contract or provider manual. When in doubt, send the correction or appeal this week.
M144 in short
What does M144 mean?
The visit falls inside the global surgical period, so its payment is included in the surgery fee. The official X12 text reads: "Pre-/post-operative care payment is included in the allowance for the surgery/procedure."
What usually causes a M144 denial?
Post-operative visit billed during the 10- or 90-day global period. Visit for an unrelated problem during the global period billed without modifier 24. Decision for surgery visit the day before or the day of a major surgery without modifier 57.
How do I fix M144?
If the visit was unrelated to the surgery, add modifier 24 (or 79 for an unrelated procedure) and resubmit with the different diagnosis. If it was routine post-operative care, write it off.
Should I appeal M144 or send a corrected claim?
Correct or appeal (see note). Corrected claim with modifier 24, 57 or 79 when the visit was separate; otherwise a write-off.
What deadline applies to M144?
Timely filing limit.