General Surgery Coding Alert

Hint: General surgeons typically also perform a Nissen procedure. When your surgeon performs a hiatal hernia repair, you could be costing your practice $45 per procedure if you automatically assign a diaphragmatic hernia repair code. Typically, general surgeons also perform a Nissen fundoplication. But watch out: You can't report both procedures during the same session or you'll face denials. Follow this expert advice to properly report these procedures every time. Check Documentation for Nissen Fundoplication "When a patient is described as having a hiatal hernia, it usually means that part of the stomach has herniated through the diaphragm into the chest and is usually associated with esophageal reflux disease," according to Gary W. Barone, MD, a physician and associate professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. "This hernia/disease process is usually treated with a Nissen fundoplication or Collis-Nissen and the diaphragmatic repair is included," Barone [...]