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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Question:

95933 Blink Reflex

Published on Thu Feb 01, 2001

Question: Our neurologist performed an orbicularis oculi (blink) reflex by electrodiagnostic testing on both eyes. Does 95933 refer to both eyes, or should we bill it for two units, one for each eye? Should we use modifier -50?

Wyoming Subscriber

Answer: Code 95933 (orbicularis oculi [blink] reflex, by electrodiagnostic testing) uses the term oculi, which is the genitive and plural of oculus and refers to both eyes. HCFA defines this as a bilateral procedure. The test should be reported once. Modifier -50 (bilateral procedure) should only be appended to a code representing a unilateral procedure that was performed bilaterally.
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