Correct coding of multiple procedures in same operative session

[tperian]

Our coder billed the multiple procedures in same operative session as: 
24075   59,79,RT 4 units
24075   XS,79,LT  3 units
21552   79,RT  1 unit
24071   79,RT  2 units
24071   79,XS,LT  1 unit

but i believe it should have been billed as:
24075   RT   4 units
24075   51, XS, LT   3 units
21552   51, RT   1 unit
24071   51, RT   2 units
24071   51, XS, LT   1 unit

Is that correct or are we both wrong?

[Kerri]

Yours looks more right.  I don't bill these codes, but in general  I question the 51. I think it should be 52.  And 79 isn't right, because you are doing everything at the same time.  Did the patient have surgery in the last ten days?

[tperian]

The surgery was back in July but there was no other procedure in the last 10 days. 
Modifier 51: used to indicate that more than one procedure was performed during the same session by the same provider/indicates that multiple procedures were performed at the same session
Modifier 52: used to indicate that a procedure or service was either partially reduced, discontinued, or eliminated/used for services that do not require anesthesia, such as radiology procedures.