General Surgery Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Parastomal Repair Code Depends on Stoma Revision

Question: Which code is appropriate to report parastomal hernia repair?

California Subscriber

Answer: If the surgeon repairs/revises the stoma at the same time, report 44346 (Revision of colostomy; with repair of paracolostomy hernia [separate procedure]). If the surgeon did not revise the stoma, choose an appropriate code from the 49500-49590 range for incisional hernia repair (for example, 49560, Repair initial incisional or ventral hernia; reducible).

-- Technical and coding advice for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, HIM program coordinator at Clarkson College in Omaha, Neb.

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