Modifier 50 guidelines

Modifier 50 is used to record bilateral procedures done by the same physician over the same surgical session in either distinct operative area (e.g., hands, feet, legs, arms, ears) or one (same) operative area (e.g., nose, eyes, breasts). According to the current coding manual, this modification is intended to be added to the appropriate unilateral procedure code as a one-line notation on the claim form stating that the surgery was conducted bilaterally (two times).
Modifiers LT (Left) and RT (Right) must not be charged on the same service area when utilizing Modifier 50 to signify a procedure was conducted bilaterally. To specify which of the linked organs was operated on, apply the modifiers LT or RT.