CPT modifier
Modifier 50: Bilateral procedure
Modifier 50 is a CPT modifier. In plain terms: The same procedure was done on both sides of the body in the same session.
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- Modifier
- 50
- Type
- CPT (Level I) modifier, maintained by the AMA
- Plain description
- The same procedure was done on both sides of the body in the same session.
- How it is used
- Billing rules vary by payer: Medicare wants one line with 50 and one unit. Check the code's bilateral indicator on the fee schedule.
- Claim form
- CMS-1500 item 24D, up to four modifiers per line. 837P SV101-3 to SV101-6.
The CPT descriptor is AMA copyright and is not shown here. The description above is written by Rivvi. Read the CMS guidance linked above for Medicare's rules.
Body side and site
- RTRight side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
- LTLeft side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
- E1Upper left, eyelid
- E2Lower left, eyelid
- E3Upper right, eyelid
- E4Lower right, eyelid
- FALeft hand, thumb
- F1Left hand, second digit
- TALeft foot, great toe
- T1Left foot, second digit
Multiple procedures and modifiers
Related modifiers
- RTRight side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
- LTLeft side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
- E1Upper left, eyelid
- E2Lower left, eyelid
- E3Upper right, eyelid
- E4Lower right, eyelid
- FALeft hand, thumb
- F1Left hand, second digit
- TALeft foot, great toe
- T1Left foot, second digit
- 51Multiple procedures
- 59Distinct procedural service
- 99Multiple modifiers
Related pages
- All CPT and HCPCS modifiersA to Z list
- CMS-1500 claim formModifiers go in item 24D
- Denial code CO-4Modifier missing or does not fit the code
- Denial code CO-182Modifier invalid on the date of service
- Denial code CO-97Included in another service
- Denial code CO-236Procedure or modifier pair not compatible
- HCPCS Level II code lookup
- Denial and remark codes
Questions
What does modifier 50 mean?
Modifier 50 is a CPT modifier. In plain terms: The same procedure was done on both sides of the body in the same session.
Is modifier 50 a CPT or a HCPCS modifier?
50 is a CPT (Level I) modifier. The AMA maintains CPT modifiers. Two-character codes with a letter, such as GT or XU, are HCPCS Level II modifiers from CMS.
Where does modifier 50 go on a claim?
On the CMS-1500 it goes in item 24D next to the procedure code. Each line holds up to four modifiers. On an 837P it goes in SV101-3 to SV101-6.
When is modifier 50 used?
Billing rules vary by payer: Medicare wants one line with 50 and one unit. Check the code's bilateral indicator on the fee schedule.
What denial comes back when a modifier is wrong?
A missing or mismatched modifier often comes back as CARC 4. A modifier that was not valid on the date of service comes back as CARC 182. A bundling edit the modifier should have bypassed comes back as CARC 97 or 236.