What is 50 Modifier?

Author: Poojitha Avanaganti

Modifier 50:

Modifier 50 is used to report bilateral procedures that are performed during the same operative session by the same physician in either separate operative areas (e.g. hands, feet, legs, arms, ears), or one (same) operative area (e.g. nose, eyes, breasts).Modifier 50 (Bilateral) procedure describes procedures/services that occur on identical, opposing structures (e.g., eyes, shoulder joints, breasts).Modifier 50 (Bilateral) is utilized as an installment, as opposed to data. It is utilized to report analytic, radiology and surgical strategies. Modifier 50 applies to any two-sided method performed on the two sides at a similar session.

  • Do not utilize Modifiers RT and LT when modifier 50 applies. A respective strategy is accounted for on one line, utilizing modifier 50.
  • Modifier 50 qualification depends on strategy depiction, CPT rules, CMS orders and broadly perceived sources (e.g., Journal of AHIMA, CPT Assistant). The modifier "50" isn't relevant to:
  • Procedures those are reciprocal by definition.
  • Procedures with depictions including the phrasing as "respective" or "one-sided."Know more At
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CPT Modifier 50 Bilateral Procedures – Professional Claims Only:

Modifier 50 is utilized to report reciprocal strategies that are performed amid a similar agent session by a similar doctor in either isolate agent regions (e.g. hands, feet, legs, arms, ears), or one (same) agent region (e.g. nose, eyes, bosoms).

The present coding manual expresses that the expectation of this modifier is to be annexed to the suitable one-sided system code as a one-line section on the claim frame demonstrating the technique was performed respectively (two times).

Modifier 50 – Correct Usage:

Appropriate usage includes: • Use modifier 50 when playing out a respective strategy amid one session and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File (MPFSRVF), additionally known as the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB) BILAT SURG marker is 1 or 3.

  • Report codes with a BILAT SURG marker of 1 by affixing modifier 50 and submit 1 unit of administration on one line.
  • Report codes with a BILAT SURG marker of 3 either by affixing modifier 50 utilizing 1 unit of administration on one line or when playing out the method on respective body parts.
  • Use modifier 50 to report respective strategies performed amid a similar agent session by a similar doctor in either isolate agent zones (e.g., hands, feet, legs, arms, ears) or in a similar agent zone (e.g., nose, eyes, bosoms).
  • Do not charge modifiers LT and RT on a similar administration line when utilizing modifier 50 to show a reciprocally performed system. Modifier LT or RT ought to be utilized to distinguish which of the matched organs was worked on. Charging techniques as two lines of administration utilizing the LT and RT modifiers isn't the same as distinguishing the system with modifier 50. Modifier 50 is the coding routine with regards to a decision when revealing two-sided strategies.For More Info Medical Coding Training Ameerpet

Modifier 50 – Incorrect Usage:

Inappropriate usage includes:

  • Do not utilize modifier 50 when playing out the methodology on various regions of a similar side of the body.
  • Do not utilize modifier 50 when the BILAT SURG marker is 0, 2 or 9.
  • Do not utilize modifier 50 while expelling a sore on the correct arm and a sore on the left arm. Utilize the RT and LT modifiers.
  • Do not utilize modifier 50 with a strategy code that is portrayed as reciprocal, or one-sided or respective, in its CPT depiction.
  • Do not report a two-sided strategy on two lines of administration by adding modifier 50 to the second line of administration.
  • Do not submit modifier 50 on techniques for midline organs, for example, the bladder, uterus, throat and nasal septum.