Wiki Billing procedures 63045-63048 with a 50 modifier

[cyclingjunkie]

I need help again clearing up some confusion with the range of procedure codes 63045-63048 (Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root(s). Some of the physicians in our orthopaedic practice bill these range of codes with a 50 modifier. Since bilateral is built into the code description it was my understanding that we could not append modifier 50 to this range of codes. Am I correct in this or should we bill with a 50 modifier if the documentation states procedures 63045-63048 were performed on both sides.

 

[RebeccaWoodward*]

You are correct. These particular codes are inherently bilateral. If performed bilaterally, the RVU's have already been factored into this procedure.

 

[cyclingjunkie]

Posting 63045-63048 with modifier 50

Thanks for the reply and helping to clear up the confusion.