AMA CPT® Assistant - 2017 Issue 7 (July)

Surgery: Digestive System (Q&A) (July 2017)

July 2017 page 10 Surgery: Digestive System Question: Is code 49659 the appropriate code to report for a laparoscopic internal hernia repair? Answer: No, code 49659, Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, herniorrhaphy, herniotomy, is not the correct code to report for a laparoscopic internal hernia repair procedure. The existing open and laparoscopic hernia repair codes, such as code 49659, are used to report the repair of abdominal wall hernias, not internal hernias. By contrast, an “internal" hernia is a herniation into the abdominal cavity. To report a laparoscopic “internal" hernia repair procedure, code 44238, Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, intestine (except rectum), should...

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CPT® Assistant content is the official source for CPT® coding guidance. It is an instrumental tool when appealing insurance denials and validating coding to auditors. Monthly issues and an extensive archive provide comprehensive guidance on proper CPT® coding for past, present and upcoming code set releases. Archives date back to 1990 for historical use of codes, changes, rationales, coding tips and trends in the industry.

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