Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Question:

For Transection of the Vaginal Septum, Use This Code

Question: My ob-gyn performed a hymenectomy along with removal of the vaginal septum. Should I report 57130 and 56700?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: You’re correct to choose 57130 (Excision of vaginal septum) for the transection of the vaginal septum. The problem is the ob-gyn would have to remove the hymen in any case to reach the septum. Some payers may not reimburse for the hymenectomy in addition because this is part of the surgical approach to the operative site. 

On the other hand, the National Correct Coding Initiative does not bundle these codes, so from a purely coding perspective, you can report 56700 (Partial hymenectomy or revision of hymenal ring) and 57130-51 (Multiple procedures) together. You would order the codes with 56700 listed first because this code has a higher relative value unit (RVU) than 57130 when your ob-gyn performs this procedure in the hospital.