tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 1999 Issue 1

Reader Question: Denial of Two Procedures Due to Unbundling

Question: Recently, one of our female patients was scheduled for a hemicolectomy. When the surgical team went in they found an incarcerated ventral hernia and peritoneal lesions. We billed 44140-22 for the hemicolectomy, as well as 49561-51 for the repair of the initial ventral hernia, and 44005-51 for the lesions. HCFA denied the latter two procedures. Why? Rosemary Pagan, CoderCampisi Harold & Hart, OrlandoAnswer: The claim was denied because the three procedures claimed above are bundled. In the April 1999 edition of the Medicare Update for the National Correct Coding Initiative and Payment Manual, 49561 is bundled into 44140...

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