Wiki modifier for bilateral procedures

[ddebbied]

I have billed bilateral procedures as follows:
49560
49560-50

I have received numerous refund requests from BCBS stating this is incorrect billing. they are stating I am billing for 3 hernia procedures.

Help! Is this incorrect?

 

[AngieDavis2012]

That is incorrect, you should code 49560-50.

 

[mitchellde]

Bilateral can be billed two different ways. One is to bill as two lines using LT on one and RT on the second. Or you can bill as one line using the 50 modifier. BCBS is correct in their refund request.