SM HCPCS Level II modifier: Second surgical opinion
SM is a HCPCS Level II modifier: “Second surgical opinion.” It adds this detail to the code it is reported with.
Official description
SMSecond surgical opinion
Short description: Second opinion
HCPCS · United States
Medicare details
The indicators CMS publishes with SM in its October 2026 file. They describe Medicare’s handling, not another payer’s.
- Medicare coverage
- Not payable by Medicare
- Added
- Jul 1, 2002
Where SM sits
- 1GroupHCPCS modifiers
- 2Modifier SMSecond surgical opinion
Source and release
- Data release
- HCPCS Level II · October 2026
- Effective date
- Oct 1, 2026
- Publisher
- CMS
This page is built from the HCPCS Level II catalog that Vero Codes reads when it suggests codes: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’s October 2026 release, imported from the publisher’s file and checked against it. The description, notes and structured data come from the same record.
Frequently asked questions
What does HCPCS code SM mean?
SM is the HCPCS code for “Second surgical opinion” in CMS’s HCPCS Level II October 2026 release.
Where is SM in the HCPCS Level II list?
SM is listed under Modifiers.
Does Medicare cover SM?
CMS lists SM’s Medicare coverage as “Not payable by Medicare”. Coverage and payment still depend on the patient, the setting, the documentation and the payer.
Which HCPCS Level II release does this page use?
It uses CMS’s October 2026 release, in effect from Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026. It is a reference: confirm the code against the current list and the payer’s rules before you submit it.
Codes beside SM
All modifiersSFSecond opinion ordered by a professional review organization (pro) per section 9401, p.l. 99-272 (100% reimbursement - no medicare deductible or coinsurance)SGAmbulatory surgical center (asc) facility serviceSHSecond concurrently administered infusion therapySJThird or more concurrently administered infusion therapySKMember of high risk population (use only with codes for immunization)SLState supplied vaccineSNThird surgical opinionSQItem ordered by home healthSSHome infusion services provided in the infusion suite of the iv therapy providerSTRelated to trauma or injurySUProcedure performed in physician's office (to denote use of facility and equipment)SVPharmaceuticals delivered to patient's home but not utilized