Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Do This When Descriptors Say ‘Unilateral or Bilateral’

Question: Because payment for fluorescein angiography (FA) (92235), indocyanine-green angiography (ICG) (92240), and combined FA and ICG (92242) is bilateral instead of unilateral, should we append either modifier RT/LT or modifier 52 to show reduced services when performed only on one eye?

Nevada Subscriber

Answer: Unless the payer policy specifically states to do so, the answer is no. No modifier is necessary when performed on one side only. These codes have the same allowable whether one or both eyes are tested and include the language “unilateral or bilateral” in their descriptors:

  • 92235 (Fluorescein angiography (includes multiframe imaging) with interpretation and report, unilateral or bilateral)
  • 92240 (Indocyanine-green angiography (includes multiframe imaging) with interpretation and report, unilateral or bilateral)
  • 92242 (Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine-green angiography (includes multiframe imaging) performed at the same patient encounter with interpretation and report, unilateral or bilateral)