• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten the password it can be reset on our sign in section by entering your registered Email Address or Username here. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..

Wiki hernia repair - Pt was scheduled

Create Wiki
C

cherylann.knighton

Guest
Messages
54
Location
New Portland, ME
Best answers
0
HI!
Pt was scheduled for a inguinal hernia repair. When the provider incised subcutaneous tissue, the scarpa fascia and the external oblique muscle fascia. As I opened a large mass of fat popped out attached to the cored. Upon dissection I found out that this looked like a lipoma. I completed the incision of the external obliques and with about 2 passes, a Penrose drain under the cord giving some tension, I was able to dissect the lipoma of the cored. There was no, as I mentioned earlier, hernia sack. Then I took a piece of mesh and I anchored it with several stitches to the pubic tubercle.

Can i bill for a hernia procedure with modifer 52 for reduced services? :confused:

thanks for your help!!
 
Code 55520 (Excision of lesion of spermatic cord [separate procedure]) properly describes excisions of the type your surgeon performed. But 55520 is a designated "separate procedure" that occurs here with a related primary procedure, the hernia repair 49505 (Repair initial inguinal hernia, age 5 years or older; reducible). Therefore, correct coding dictates that you bundle the excision into the hernia repair. This still applies if the patient is under 5 years of age.
 
hernia

Thanks to you both!!
But I did forget the most important word in the note (LOL)
There was NO hernia sac, sorry about that, that is why I wanted to do reduced service. Thanks!!:eek:
 
LoL!! I just re-read your 1st post. How did I miss that?? In that case I would only code for the lipoma of the cord (55520) as TWinsor stated earlier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top