Wiki Changes to Modifier 50

tiffanyade

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Has anyone heard of any drastic changes to modifier 50? I have one of my physicians telling me he read a publication stating there was a change but since I work outside of his office he has not shared the publication with me and I am not finding any information on any changes. Help please!
 
The only change I'm aware of this year is that CPT now instructs that the modifier 50 should not be used on add-on codes. If an add-on procedure is performed bilaterally, that code should be reported twice, with the modifiers RT and LT on each instance. I'm not aware of any other changes to the modifier except in this limited case as applies to add-on codes.
 
I wasn't aware of that, & use add on codes all the time. Thanks for the info Thomas!!
Interestingly enough, in my 2020 AAPC procedure coding expert CPT, it still lists 50 as a valid modifier on the add on I typically use.
 
I wasn't aware of that, & use add on codes all the time. Thanks for the info Thomas!!
Interestingly enough, in my 2020 AAPC procedure coding expert CPT, it still lists 50 as a valid modifier on the add on I typically use.

My guess is that many payers will still accept the modifier since the update was to CPT and not to the CMS or payer reimbursement policies, but we'll have to wait and see.
 
Hi, I attended the local chapter meeting last Monday and the event was about procedure codes update and I learned that about modifier 50 as mentioned by Thomas7331 and also the speaker mentioned that modifier 63 which was surgery only code now is revised to include cardiomedicine codes.
 
I wasn't aware of that, & use add on codes all the time. Thanks for the info Thomas!!
Interestingly enough, in my 2020 AAPC procedure coding expert CPT, it still lists 50 as a valid modifier on the add on I typically use.

Is that book really helpful? I just started a coding position and I am looking for other helpful resources aside from the coding books.
 
That book is just the AAPC version of CPT. It’s not allowed for exams, but does give more information (RVU, global) than the exam approved version.
 
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