Forum - Questions & Answers
Multiple procedures
Please tell me if I did this right: An elderly patient came in for eyelid laceration and repair was done. The PA also did a nail trim for dystrophic nails. I coded the visit with a CPT® of 11720 and eyelid repair of 12051 with -59. IS an E/M still needed for this visit? Did I use the correct codes as far as Modifiers with the correct CPT® code? Please help. Not too bright when it comes to bundling/unbundling. Thanks a bunch!!!
re: MULTIPLE PROCEDURES
11720 and 12051 are not bundled so the lower valued code would get a 51 modifier. If the patient was seen for other reasons then the laceration repair and nail trim, then yes, the E/M is separately reportable.
re: MULTIPLE PROCEDURES
So just leave the 12051 with a -59 and add an E/M?
re: MULTIPLE PROCEDURES
-59 modifier is used for when the procedure(s) "are" bundled and you can prove it was a separate site, organ sytem, etc... and not bundled. A -51 modifier is for multiple procedures (not bundled) and not used for add-on codes. Note above reply.