Documentation to Support Modifier 22

Question:

When performing spinal procedures, does documentation of obesity support the use of modifier 22?

Answer:

Documentation of obesity alone does not support the use of modifier 22, however, additional information indicating the patient’s obesity resulted in a procedure that was technically more difficult, or required more time than normal (i.e., suggesting that the neck was thick, positioning was difficult, more time was spent), could support the use of modifier 22.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 4/24/25.