{"id":10687,"date":"2020-03-20T19:39:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T14:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medicalbillersandcoders.com\/blog\/?p=10687"},"modified":"2025-12-23T09:22:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T09:22:26","slug":"correct-use-of-modifier-50-in-asc-billing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medicalbillersandcoders.com\/blog\/correct-use-of-modifier-50-in-asc-billing\/","title":{"rendered":"Correct Use of Modifier 50 in ASC Billing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Modifiers are two-digit symbols added to CPT procedure codes to signify that the procedure has been altered in some way. Medicare and most other payers accept modifiers; however, using modifiers correctly can be confusing, since not all payers want modifiers used the same way.<\/p>\r\n

Medicare defines the ASC facility\u2019s Global Period as 24 hours from the time the first procedure begins \u2013 it is NOT 10 or 90 days, as the physician\u2019s Global Period might be. However, some payers other than Medicare may consider the Global Period to be 48\u201372 hours for ASC facilities.<\/p>\r\n

Some Modifiers are for use by physician practices only, others for use on facility claims only, and others for use by both provider types. In this Blog, we have discussed the correct use of modifier 50 in ASC billing<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Not using Modifiers according to each payer\u2019s specifications can result in unnecessary denials or incorrect payment for claims. Specific Modifiers are used when the patient returned to the OR for another procedure on the same day or within proximity to another procedure performed in your facility \u2013 which is referred to as the \u201cGlobal Period\u201d or \u201cPostoperative Period.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Modifier 50 in ASC Billing: Bilateral Procedures<\/h2>\r\n

For Bilateral procedures, use the -50 or -RT\/-LT modifiers when an identical procedure is performed on both the Right and Left sides of the body. Policies payors use to report bilateral procedures can vary. Check with each payor for their preferred method of billing bilateral procedures.<\/p>\r\n

Do not mix methods or modifier types. Never use the -RT\/-LT Modifiers on the same code listed on the claim as one line item. Billing with one line item can only be done using the -50 Modifier (which is not accepted by Medicare). Do not mix the -50 Modifier with \u2013RT or \u2013LT Modifiers. Do not use Bilateral Modifiers on CPT codes that include verbiage describing procedures as \u201cBilateral\u201d or \u201cUnilateral or Bilateral\u201d.<\/p>\r\n

Correct Usage of Modifier 50 in ASC Billing and Modifiers LT and RT for Bilateral Procedures<\/h2>\r\n

Since Medicare no longer allows the use of the -50 Modifier for billing Bilateral procedures, the following methods for billing Bilateral procedures are allowed: Do NOT use the -50 Modifier on Medicare claims.<\/p>\r\n