Surgery: Digestive System (January 2009)

January 2009 page 7b Surgery: Digestive System, 49659 (Q&A) Question: What is the correct code for laparoscopic repair of an initial, incarcerated, inguinal hernia? Answer: Code 49659 , Unlisted laparoscopy, procedure, hernioplasty, herniorrhaphy, herniotomy , is the appropriate code to report. If a laparoscopic procedure is performed but no CPT code accurately describes the laparoscopic procedure, the corresponding open procedure code should not be reported. An open procedure code should never be reported to describe a procedure that was performed laparoscopically. When an unlisted code is reported to describe a procedure or service, it will be necessary to submit supporting...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This January 2009 CPT Assistant Surgery: Digestive System Q&A explains a coding scenario involving a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and discusses when an unlisted laparoscopic procedure code is reported. It is relevant to coders working with surgical coding, laparoscopic procedures, and claim support documentation. The article also highlights the relationship between laparoscopic and open procedure reporting in a general way, without serving as a substitute for the full coding guidance.

Why This Topic Matters

Surgical coders and billing staff often need to determine whether a specific procedure is described by an existing CPT code or requires an unlisted code. This article provides a focused example from digestive system surgery and reinforces the importance of documentation when a service is reported with an unlisted procedure code.

Article Sections

  1. January 2009 page 7b

    A short Q&A from CPT Assistant covering a digestive system surgery coding question and related reporting considerations.

What You Will Learn

  • How this January 2009 Q&A frames a laparoscopic surgery coding question
  • The role of unlisted procedure reporting in digestive system surgery content
  • Why supporting documentation may be discussed when an unlisted code is used
  • How the article positions laparoscopic and open procedure reporting at a general level

Who Should Read This

  • CPT coders
  • Surgical billing staff
  • Revenue cycle professionals
  • Compliance staff
  • Medical coding educators

Codes Discussed


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