Question

Bilateral Reporting:
A recent audit of hospital accounts with bilateral cataract procedures coded showed the following:
35 accounts coded 66984-RT Unit of Service 1
66984-LT Unit of Service 1
172 accounts coded 66984-50 Unit of Service 1
7 accounts coded 66984 Unit of Service 1
66984-50 Unit of Service 1
2 accounts coded 66984 Unit of Service 2

Learn the appropriate way the code should be reported. Determine/comment on the results of the audit.
Develop a coding procedure for bilateral cataract procedures that will meet compliance under the National Correct Coding Initiative.

Answer 1

  cataract procedure
current procedural terminology(CPT) code - 66984
Procedure done bilaterally in both the eyes..
It should not be noted as RT(right) and LT(left)
modifier 50 used to report bilateral procedure that was performed in same operations session by the same physician either in different area or same area like nose,eyes,breast,ears etc..When using modifier 50 it indicate procedure done bilaterally ,modifier RT and LT should not be used on the same service,Modifier RT and LT should be used when one of the organ got operated either right or left..modifier 50 is the correct coding practice when we want to report bilateral procedure..
so 66984 -50 is the correct coding initiative for bilateral cataract procedure..