MULTIPLE/BILATERAL EXAMPLES

ADD-ON CODES: Certain codes, by the nature of their description and the unit values assigned, have already been reduced, as they are not to be billed as primary procedures. For a complete list of the codes which are considered to be add-on codes, refer to the appropriate appendix found within the most recent publication of the AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). 

CODES THAT ARE NOT CLASSIFIED AS ADD-ON CODES BUT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE MULTIPLE PROCEDURE RULE / MODIFIER -51: For a complete list of the codes which fall into this category, refer to the appropriate appendix found within the most recent publication of the AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).

CODES WHICH INCLUDE CONSCIOUS SEDATION: Certain codes include conscious sedation as an inherent part of providing the procedure. For a complete list of codes that include conscious sedation, refer to the appropriate appendix that is found within the most recent publication of the AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).

FOLLOW-UP OR AFTERCARE: Follow-up care for therapeutic surgical procedures includes all normal postoperative care, that care which is usually a part of the surgical service. Complications, exacerbations, recurrence of the condition, or the presence of other diseases or injuries requiring additional services concurrent with the procedure may warrant additional charges. If such separate charges are made, explain by report with an adequate description. When an additional surgical procedure is performed during any follow-up care and is related to the previously performed procedure but is not an intrinsic part of the latter, the additional procedure will be paid at one-half the maximum allowable payment.  

MULTIPLE OR BILATERAL PROCEDURES

As it relates to billing for both related, and unrelated multiple procedures, the same rationale for additional fees is also applicable to hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center facility fees but not applicable to inpatient care.

Multiple related procedures shall not warrant an additional fee except in those subsections of the listings where separate codes are given. When more than one identifiable surgical procedure or service is rendered, an additional fee may be warranted. Identify each procedure and bill at full value for the major procedure and at 50% for the lesser procedure, up to four (4) more additional / secondary procedures paid at 50% of the maximum allowable payment. Additional related procedures, beyond the total of five (5) as defined, may be considered for payment on an individual by report (BR) basis.

When multiple procedures, unrelated to the major procedure and adding significant time or complexity are provided at the same operative session, payment is for the procedure with the highest allowance, plus 50% for the lesser procedure, up to four (4) more additional / secondary procedures paid at 50% of the maximum allowable payment. 

When bilateral procedures are performed that require preparation of separate operative sites (e.g., bilateral carpal tunnel), payment for the second (or bilateral) procedure is to be reimbursed at 75% of the primary procedure.