tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2011 Issue 4

Reader Questions: 44238 Captures Lap Intestinal Hernia Repair

Question: If the surgeon performs a laparoscopic release and repair of an incarcerated internal hernia of the small intestine, should I bill an unlisted code such as 49659?New York SubscriberAnswer: You should use an unlisted code, but the better choice is 44238 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, intestine [except rectum]) instead of 49659 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, hernioplasty, herniorrhaphy, herniotomy). That's because the lap hernia codes (49650- 49659) describe laparoscopic repair of hernias in the abdominal wall. The situation you describe involves an internal hernia in the small intestine, and CPT does not provide a specific code for that service.Option:If...

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