How can modifiers affect reimbursement in healthcare coding?

Modifiers in healthcare coding enhance the information provided by the primary code, offering further details about the service or procedure performed. This additional information can directly influence reimbursement amounts because insurers rely on modifiers to understand the context of the provided service. For example, modifiers can indicate whether a procedure was altered in some way, performed on multiple sites, or if it involved a bilateral procedure. These distinctions can lead to different payment calculations by insurance companies, allowing for more accurate billing and reimbursement that reflects the specifics of the service rendered.

The other options do not accurately describe the role of modifiers. Modifiers do not change the coding system itself or indicate the provider's specialty, nor are they required with every code. Their main purpose is to clarify the services provided, thus impacting reimbursement.