Use This Tip When Reporting Bilateral Procedure
Question: A patient came in with lacerations on both eyelids. Do I need to use a modifier to show laterality, even though both eyelids were repaired? Arizona Subscriber Answer: It can be confusing to understand when it is appropriate to use laterality modifiers LT (left) and RT (right) instead of modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) in certain situations. In this situation, you would code the repair as 67935 (Suture of recent wound, eyelid, involving lid margin, tarsus, and/or palpebral conjunctiva direct closure; full thickness) with modifier 50 added to indicate both lids were repaired. Remember: You should apply modifier 50 in cases where the procedure is not normally designated as bilateral but is being performed on both sides of a symmetrical structure during the same visit or session, like in this case, where both eyelids are repaired. However, you should use modifiers RT and LT in situations where a procedure is performed on only one side of paired organs or symmetrical structures (ovaries, testicles, kidneys, breasts, lungs, etc.). Lindsey Bush, BA, MA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
