Modifier 77: Repeat procedure by another physician
When it is appropriate
Append modifier 77 when a different physician or other qualified health professional than the one who performed the original service repeats that same procedure on the same patient on the same day.
When it is not appropriate
Do not use 77 when the same physician performed both instances (use 76 instead), or when the second service is actually a distinct, different procedure rather than a repeat of the same one.
CMS preference
Like 76, modifier 77 is not one of the modifiers CMS lists as able to bypass an NCCI PTP edit; it is a repeat-procedure indicator, not a distinct-procedure indicator.
Retrieved 2026-07-18.
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DenialPath provides billing and administrative guidance based on published CMS and X12 sources. It is not medical advice, not a coverage determination, and not a guarantee of payment. NCCI and MUE edits are republished quarterly and payer policies vary by contract. Always confirm against the payer's own current policy before submitting or appealing.