Discontinued out-patient hospital modifier 73

73     Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgical center (ASC) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient’s surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be preformed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). Under these
circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of the modifier 73.

Note: The elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. For physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.