--- title: "Medical Coding: Lateral and Bilateral Modifiers that Impact Payment" description: There can be confusion on how to report lateral- LT/RT and bilateral modifiers-50. Find out the correct way to report it! image: https://www.hccscoding.com/hubfs/feature-image-lateral-1.jpg --- [![HCCSLogo-TransBG-HIMServices - White-1.png](https://www.hccscoding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HCCSLogo-TransBG-HIMServices%20-%20White-1.png?width=828&height=413&name=HCCSLogo-TransBG-HIMServices%20-%20White-1.png "HCCSLogo-TransBG-HIMServices - White-1.png")](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters) [![Discover our solutions](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/363491/5516d115-2599-4fe9-a53a-3b1fd900186d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/363491/5516d115-2599-4fe9-a53a-3b1fd900186d) ![post-banner-final.jpg](https://www.hccscoding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post-banner-final.jpg?width=2000&name=post-banner-final.jpg "post-banner-final.jpg") August 2017 # Medical Coding: Lateral and Bilateral Modifiers that Impact Payment --- ### There can be confusion on how to report lateral- LT/RT and bilateral modifiers-50. Coders report many of these incorrect or miss reporting altogether. --- ## How do you report it correctly?  To help with this, if the same procedure was performed on both sides of the body you would report one CPT with modifier 50. You will need to be careful when the code descriptor is indicated as “bilateral or unilateral. Many coders feel the need to place lateral/bilateral modifiers on the excision of skin lesion CPT codes for different sides of the body. This would be incorrect because this denotes of, relating to affecting the right and left sides of paired organs. The skin is not a paired organ. It is part of the integratory system (the organ system that protects the entire body). The lateral-LT/RT modifiers identify procedures that are performed on organs, such as, ears, eyes, nostrils, kidneys, lungs, and ovaries. Remember if a unilateral procedure has not been defined by CPT or HCPCS guidelines, report the CPT code without the modifier because the description already indicates this within the code. Payers also have preferences reporting so keep this in mind that sometimes they want the LT/RT modifiers vs 50, but follow coding guidelines when applying. ![Lateral-and-Bilateral.jpg](https://www.hccscoding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lateral-and-Bilateral.jpg?width=320&name=Lateral-and-Bilateral.jpg "Lateral-and-Bilateral.jpg") *Reference: * *Coding Clinic for HCPCS - Third Quarter 2016 Page: 5* *CPT Assistant May 2003 page 16*   *Share your thoughts in the comment below!* ---   Topics: [Medical Coding](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/medical-coding), [Organization for Home Office](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/organization-for-home-office), [Auditor](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/auditor), [Working from home](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/working-from-home), [Coding](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/coding), [Medical Coding Book](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/medical-coding-book), [Coding Book](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/coding-book), [Recruiting](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/recruiting) #### Written by [Penny Russell, CCS](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/author/penny-russell-ccs) ### *Healthcare Coding & Consulting Services* ### (a.k.a. HCCS) ### *This blog is an extension of our uncompromising values and dedication to our clients, staff, and the HIM industry as a whole.*   ### Subscribe to Email Updates      ### Recent Posts     ### Posts by Tag - [Medical Coding (16)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/medical-coding) - [Coding (13)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/coding) - [Working from home (9)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/working-from-home) - [Auditor (7)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/auditor) - [COVID-19 (7)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/covid-19) - [Coding Book (7)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/coding-book) - [Medical Coding Book (7)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/medical-coding-book) - [Recruiting (7)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/recruiting) - [Health Information Management (6)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/health-information-management) - [Work From Home (6)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/work-from-home) - [ICD-10 (5)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/icd-10) - [Organization for Home Office (5)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/organization-for-home-office) - [Coding Canapes (4)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/coding-canapes) - [telehealth (2)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/telehealth) - [Finances (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/finances) - [Home Town Health (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/home-town-health) - [MA plans (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/ma-plans) - [Medicaid (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/medicaid) - [Medicare Advantage (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/medicare-advantage) - [PHE (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/phe) - [Spring Conference (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/spring-conference) - [Time Management (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/time-management) - [rural health challenges (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/rural-health-challenges) - [rural hospitals (1)](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/topic/rural-hospitals) [see all](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/lateral-and-bilateral-modifiers#) 113 El Dorado Pkwy West, Cape Coral FL 33914 239-443-3900 [yourname@company.com](mailto:yourname@company.com) Copyright 2026 | Healthcare Coding and Consulting Services [**](https://www.hccscoding.com/codeencounters/lateral-and-bilateral-modifiers#) Contact HCCS for additional information about coding at info@hccscoding.com.