Wiki Arterial bleeder

[mmelcam]

Physician was doing a lap. bilat. ingunial hernia repair and he states "on completion there was no evidence of active bleeding. The peritoneum was reapproximated again with the stapling device. On removing the left lateral mid abdominal trocar there was an arterial bleeder. An EndoPass was used and vicryl sutures were placed and the bleeing was ligated and controlled."

My question is can I bill for the suture of the artery along with the hernia repair? I was thinking that I can only bill for the hernia repair but wanted to make sure.

 

[FTessaBartels]

Incidental to surgery

From the brief description you give, it sounds incidental to me. No separate charge.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

 

[mmelcam]

Thanks, that's what I thought.