General Surgery Coding Alert
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?
Codify 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 and time involved in repairing both hernias in the same session with the same mesh.
General Surgery Coding Alert
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