General Surgery Coding:
Know When to Report a ‘Separate Procedure’
Published on Wed Jun 03, 2026
Question: Our surgeon placed an anal seton to treat a fistula, and they also performed an incision and drainage (I&D) of a perirectal abscess during the operation. We originally reported 46020 (Placement of seton) and 46040 (Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess (separate procedure)) for the surgeon’s work, but the claim was denied citing 46040 as a component [...]