BCBS-IL and the New X Modifiers (-59)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois informed the Illinois Chiropractic Society of their intentions regarding the changes to the -59 modifiers. As many of you know, Medicare replaced the -59 modifier with new X modifiers, and the ICS previously released a short explanation video here.

Here is the information from BCBS-IL:

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“Effective 1/1/15 CMS added 4 new modifiers to be used to replace modifier 59 submitted with CPT®/HCPCS codes. The new modifiers are:

XE – Separate Encounter, a Service that is Distinct because it occurred during a Separate Encounter
XS – Separate structure, a Service that is Distinct because it was performed on a Separate Organ/Structure
XP – Separate Practitioner, a Service that is Distinct because it was performed by a different Practitioner
XU – Unusual Non-Overlapping Service, the Use of a service that is Distinct because it does not overlap Usual Components of the Main Service

Blue Cross Blue Shield will accept these modifiers when submitted and will begin recognizing on or after 4/20/2015 with our 1st quarter ClaimsXten updates. HCSC will handle claims impacted by these modifiers when submitted until updates are made in the system.”