Wiki Ear wash

[msjudy71655]

I billed 69210. Pt had bilateral procedure. The guidelines state to use modifier 50 for bilateral. It rejected stating "procedure is inconsistent with modifier." Do I bill each one separately with modifier 50 on one of line items? I first filed w/modifier 59, then saw that 50 was needed.

TIA

Judy

 

[CodingKing]

Most payers want 1 line with 1 unit and modifier 50


You cant use 69210 when doing it via lavage, it bundles into the E&M

 

[mitchellde]

Bilateral is one line with the 50 modifier or two lines with RT on one and LT on the other. It depends on the payer. The 69210 issue is many payers have elected to not allow billing this as a unilateral code. Also 69210 is not the code to use for ear wash, an ear wash is just incorporated with the E&M until January 1, 2016.