Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: How should we bill for GDX testing when performed bilaterally? Ohio Subscriber

Answer: You should report 92135 (Scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging [e.g., scanning laser] with interpretation and report, unilateral), which is unilateral. When billing Medicare for the procedure performed bilaterally, bill 92135 twice and append modifier -50 (Bilateral procedure) to the second code. For other payers, use 92135 twice, once with modifier -RT (Right side) and once with modifier -LT (Left side) unless advised differently. However, some payers request that the claim filed on one line (92135-RT-LT) with a 2 in the units field.