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Anesthesia Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

No Real Code for Mesh Removal

Published on Fri Aug 08, 2003

Question: How should I code for mesh removal? The patient had a ventral hernia repair with mesh, and the mesh is being removed due to infection.

Texas Subscriber

Answer: There is no specific code for mesh removal, so the code to use depends on the carrier.
Some carriers accept 49085 (Removal of peritoneal foreign body from peritoneal cavity). Others only accept 49999 (Unlisted procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum).
 
If you're reporting anesthesia codes, 49085 crosses to 00840 (Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in lower abdomen including laparoscopy; not otherwise specified), and 49999 crosses to 00790 (Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in upper abdomen including laparoscopy; not otherwise specified) with 00840 as an alternative code. Choose the anesthesia code that reflects the procedure location.
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