Basics of CPT code 99024
Medical coders play a vital role in ensuring accurate and compliant documentation of services rendered by healthcare providers. One such code, CPT code 99024, is integral in reporting post-operative evaluation and management (E/M) services included in the global surgical package, especially for providers reimbursed through Medicare or Medicaid.
Background and Importance of CPT code 99024
In a 2012 report, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found discrepancies between the number of post-operative visits provided and those reimbursed under global surgery payments. These inconsistencies led to a recommendation to reduce reimbursement rates. In response, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) initiated data collection to assess the actual utilization of post-operative services before implementing any payment adjustments.
As a result, in 2017, CMS mandated the use of CPT code 99024 to track the frequency and nature of post-surgical follow-up care. This initiative allows CMS to evaluate whether the post-operative services included in the global package are being delivered as assumed. The use of this code enables providers to accurately report follow-up care, ensuring transparency and data integrity for future reimbursement models.
What Is CPT Code 99024?
CPT code 99024 is a non-reimbursable (zero-dollar) code used to report routine post-operative follow-up visits during the global period of a surgical procedure. It includes services such as:
Monitoring for infection
Wound healing assessments
Pain management
Drain or catheter removal
Though commonly provided by the operating surgeon, any provider involved in the patient’s post-operative care — including anesthesiologists or specialists — may use this code if contributing to the follow-up services.
Applicability Criteria
Mandatory reporting of CPT code 99024 applies if all of the following conditions are met:
The practice is located in one of the following CMS-selected states:
Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, or Rhode Island
The medical group includes 10 or more practitioners
The provider delivers post-operative services associated with 10-day or 90-day global procedures
🔹 Note: For 10-day global procedures, day of surgery is day 0, and the global period begins the following day. For 90-day procedures, it starts the day after surgery, but includes the day before and day of surgery.
Proper Reporting and Documentation for code 99024 reimbursement
CPT code 99024 should be used to document post-operative visits associated with a defined list of approximately 293 surgical procedures that meet the CMS criteria (high volume, high cost, or widespread provider participation). Coders should reference the annually updated CMS list to ensure accuracy.
While this code is not separately billable, it must be documented to confirm that follow-up care has been rendered as part of the global package. The surgeon uses modifier 54 if they are transferring post-operative care, while the receiving provider uses modifier 55 to indicate they are assuming post-op responsibility.
New Post-Op Add-On Code: G0559
As of 2025, CMS introduced HCPCS code G0559 for practitioners who were not involved in the surgery but provide post-operative care. This allows better tracking of non-surgical providers’ time and resources used in post-op care and may be billable depending on the scenario.
Use of Modifiers for Additional Services
If significant and separately identifiable services are rendered during a post-operative visit, coders may use:
Modifier 24: Unrelated E/M service by the same physician during a post-op period
Modifier 25: Significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure
These modifiers should be supported by documentation showing that the service exceeded routine post-op expectations. A new diagnosis is not required, but detailed documentation is.
Clinical Specialties Frequently Using CPT code 99024
Certain specialties and procedures are more likely to require the use of CPT 99024. These include:
Plastic Surgeons: Lesion excision, tissue transfers, skin grafts
Dermatologists: Skin cancer excision, Mohs surgery
Podiatrists: Nail bed removal, digital amputations, fracture care
Ophthalmologists: Eyelid repair, lesion removal, ocular implants
General Surgeons: Lesion destruction, AV fistula creation
Thoracic Surgeons: Lung resections
Cardiac Surgeons: Coronary artery bypass grafts
Common Concerns with procedure code 99024
Several challenges have been identified regarding the use of CPT code 99024:
Zero-dollar codes often trigger billing system errors or require manual intervention
EHR limitations: Some systems cannot track or link 99024 visits effectively to the originating surgery
Data integration issues: Discrepancies between hospital and outpatient EHR systems can result in data loss
Undocumented services: Providers often deliver services (e.g., imaging review, lab analysis) not reflected by CPT 99024, which affects reimbursement fairness
Patient complexity: Conditions like diabetes or infections may require extra care not covered under global payments
Why Accurate Use of CPT code 99024 Matters?
CMS calculates global surgery payments assuming a certain number and type of follow-up visits are delivered. If post-operative visits are not documented using CPT 99024, CMS may conclude that these services are unnecessary — potentially leading to reduced reimbursement rates in future payment models.
Data mining and audit tools are used by CMS to track 99024 utilization. Underreporting can lead to payment reductions, care quality reviews, or even delayed reimbursements for surgical procedures.
Best Practices for Coders
Ensure your EHR system supports CPT 99024 and integrates with surgical data
Regularly review the CMS list of procedures requiring 99024
Confirm that documentation supports the services delivered, especially if modifiers 24, 25, 54, or 55 are used
Educate providers on the importance of coding non-reimbursable post-op services accurately to maintain compliance and prevent loss of revenue
