Wiki Anesthesia with Modifier 50

[lisamalia]

Can anesthesia codes be billed with modifier 50? For example, can 00120 be billed with a 50 for a bilateral procedure?

Thanks!

 

[CVelez]

No anesthesia is based on time. You also have base units assigned to each anesthesia code. If you do multiple procedures you choose the code with highest base units.

Charla

 

[lisamalia]

Thanks Charla,
That is how I understood it, then I came across this, what does it mean?

00120 Anesthesia for procedures on external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy;
not otherwise specified

00124 otoscopy

00126 tympanotomy
Pub. 100-4, Chapter 12, Sections 50, 140, 140.2,
140.3.2
Coding Tip
Codes 00120–00126 each identify a unilateral
service. If the surgeon performs bilateral surgical
services, use modifier 50 (bilateral procedure).

Thanks!

 

[EllieAnn]

The surgeon would bill with the 50 modifier, not the anesthesiologist. The only time an anesthesiologist would use a 50 modifier is if he/she is performing the actual procedure, for example: bilateral saccroiliac joint injections...27096-50.