What does the modifier -32 indicate in terms of service provision?

The modifier -32 is used in the CPT coding system to indicate that a service has been mandated or required by a third-party payer, which can include insurance companies or government programs. This modifier is specifically applied to denote that the service is not initiated by the provider's discretion but rather is necessitated by the requirements of the payer.

For instance, if a patient requires a specific procedure or evaluation due to an insurance company's guidelines or legal requirements, the provider will use modifier -32 when billing for that service. This signals that the service was conducted under a requirement rather than as part of the overall care strategy determined by the physician.

In contrast, other options such as non-essential procedures, extra services rendered during an office visit, or complicated care requirements do not accurately define the purpose of modifier -32, which focuses specifically on the influence of third-party payer mandates on the provision of services.