Modifier 57 (decision for surgery) is added to an E/M code if the surgeon sees the patient and then, based upon the evaluation of the patient, decides to proceed with surgery either the same or the following day.
The US Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. defines command and control as: The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission.
A commander in the Army is a commanding officer or team leader. Another way to look at the term is that the rank of commander in the Navy or Coast Guard is the equivalent of a lieutenant colonel in the Army. These field-grade Army officers command a battalion, a fighting or support force numbering between 300 and 1,000 men and women. Noted by the silver oak leaves on their shoulders, lieutenant colonels are two steps below general officer status.