General Surgery Coding Alert
Mesh Implantation
Illinois Subscriber
Answer: Implantation of mesh should be billed only with an open ventral or incisional hernia, either initial or recurrent, says Elaine Elliott, CPC, an independent general surgery coding and reimbursement specialist in Jensen Beach, Fla. According to CPT, the code for mesh implantation, 49568 (implantation of mesh or other prosthesis for incisional or ventral hernia repair [list separately in addition to code for the incisional or ventral hernia repair]), is an add-on code that may be used only with 49560 (repair initial incisional or ventral hernia; reducible), 49561 ( incarcerated or strangulated), 49565 (repair recurrent incisional or ventral hernia; reducible) and 49566 ( incarcerated or strangulated).
Mesh implantation should not be billed if laparoscopic hernia repair was performed. Mesh is always placed during laparoscopic hernia repairs and is therefore included in the repair.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- Breast Procedure FAQ:
Solutions for Common Coding Dilemmas
Although breast procedures are common, they still present coding challenges. These procedures can vary widely [...] - Meet the Challenge of Thyroidectomy Coding
Thyroidectomies and other related excisions, such as parathyroidectomies, can pose difficult coding challenges.
The thyroid is [...] - You Be the Coder:
Follow-Up Colonic Polypectomy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
Mesh Implantation
Question: How should I code laparoscopic repair of a ventral hernia (initial or recurrent) with [...] - Reader Question:
Prolonged Services
Question: The surgeon sees a new patient with carotid stenosis in the office for a [...] - Reader Question:
Billing for Resident Services at Teaching Hospital
Question: Does an attending physician have to be in the hospital to bill for any [...]
