Wiki Modifiers 51 or 59

[dballard2004]

A patient presents to the office to have two lesions excised. One from his right arm and one from his left leg. I know that this would not be a bilateral procedure, but how would this be coded? Would I report:

11400 RT (for the arm)
11401 LT (for the leg)

or

11400 RT
11401 51 LT

or

11400 RT
11401 51, 59, LT

 

[Herbie Lorona]

These two codes are not bundled so there would be no need for the 59 modifier. I usually code these with just the cpt codes.

 

[RebeccaWoodward*]

I don't find any bundling issues with these 2 codes. I would report:

11401
11400-51

11401 carries more RVU's

 

[mitchellde]

You do not use LT and RT with skin lesion excisions, skin is one organ without laterality so if anything it would be a 59, however with no bundleing then only the 51 is necessary.

 

[dballard2004]

Thanks to all.