General Surgery Coding Alert

Save it for fascia support in soft tissue.If your surgeon frequently performs hernia repairs, you may have been delighted to spy new add-on code +15777 (Implantation of biologic implant [e.g., acellular dermal matrix] for soft tissue reinforcement [e.g., breast, trunk]) in CPT® 2012. But make no mistake -- this code does not apply to mesh used in hernia procedures, said Christopher K. Senkowski, MD, at the CPT® 2012 Annual Symposium in Chicago during his Nov. 17 "CPT® Changes: General Surgery" seminar."New code +15777 was developed for areas where there's a defect from a tumor resection, or where there's a need for fascia support such as a breast situation -- it's not something you're going to use in conjunction with a hernia repair," he said.Do this: Instead, report mesh implantation for hernia repairs with +49568 (Implantation of mesh or other prosthesis for open incisional or ventral hernia repair or mesh for closure of debridement [...]