modifier lt/rt how many units

[sdudowitz]

The office I work for has insisted on using the modifier lt/rt for bilateral procedures but using the units of 2. Is this correct or should this be one?

[jmcpolin]

It depends on what CPT it is

[mitchellde]

LT and RT modifiers are anatomical modifiers. You can use only 1 anatomical modifier per line item code, so there is never a time when 2 units would be used with LT or RT. Bilateral can be billed as one line item with a 50 modifier and 1 unit of service or as two line items using RT and LT each with 1 unit. I know many people in this forum will tell you to use 2 units with the 50 modifier however the Medicare instructions are 1 unit and most carriers instruct to use 1 unit. I have observe incorrect reimbursement when using 2 units.