Wiki 50 modifier

[nkorab]

I am confused with this modifier. Our doctor performed ESWL 50590 on both the left and right side of the patient. Do I bill 50590-50 once? or 50590 LT & 50590 RT? or 50590 on one line and 50590-50 on the next? or 50590 x2?

Thanks for any help.
Nancy K

 

[OCD_coder]

There is a medically unlikely edit (CMS) on the 50590 of 1 unit. So you bill on 1 line, 1 unit with a modifier 50 appended. This tells the computer to pay the single code at 150%. This is equal to paying 100% for the Left side and 50% for the Right side which is subject to the multiple procedure reduction rules.

Hope that helps.