tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2014 Issue 9

Reader Question: Single Mesh Means Single Code

Question: The surgeon performed a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (left side), but also noted and reduced a small femoral hernia during the procedure. He then performed a mesh repair covering both hernias. How should I code this? SuperCoder Subscriber Answer: You should code the inguinal hernia repair with 49650 (Laparoscopy, surgical; repair initial inguinal hernia). Because the surgeon used the same mesh to cover both the initial hernia and the newly-discovered small femoral hernia, you should not report another code. However, you might be able to append modifier 22 (Increased procedural services) if the surgeon documents the additional work...

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