Avoid using the new never-event modifiers unless CMS requires you to add one to a claim. CMS says the agency has recently received claims with providers improperly using the new never event modifiers -- resulting in unnecessary denials.
You only use the following modifiers:
- PA for a surgery performed on the wrong body part;
- PB for a surgery performed on the wrong
patient; and
- PC for the wrong surgery performed on a patient.
You're required to report a never event to CMS. Medicare does not pay for never events, so you'll automatically receive a denial when you mistakenly use one of the three modifiers.