hemorrhoid banding

I performed hemorrhoid banding to two hemorrhoidal columns (left lateral and right anterior positions). The banding code 46221...does this cover both...or do I put down two units when I sent in the billing slip? thanks as usual.

Hemorrhoid banding

The description of the code,

"Hemorrhoidectomy, by simple ligature (eg, rubber band)" doesn't define units (some codes have actual numbers, and some code descriptions have a plural (s) in the definition) so I would bill the second with a 59 modifier. My code editor says the usual payment reduction applies.

Hemorrhoid banding

I've never really understood this but according to the CPT Assistant October 1997 code 46221 should be reported only once regardless of how many hemorrhoids are ligated. It's not listed that way in the CPT book so I've always wondered how we are supposed to know this if we have never seen the CPT Assistant article?