General Surgery Coding Alert

Answer: Although new codes 49591-49618 ((Repair of anterior abdominal hernia(s) (ie, epigastric, incisional, ventral, umbilical, spigelian), any approach (ie, open, laparoscopic, robotic) …) include mesh implantation, when performed, the codes don’t include mesh removal.

CPT^® 2023 provides a new add-on code for that service: +49623 (Removal of total or near total non-infected mesh or other prosthesis at the time of initial or recurrent anterior abdominal hernia repair or parastomal hernia repair, any approach (ie, open, laparoscopic, robotic) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)).

CPT^® instructs you to use the code in addition to the appropriate code from the range 49591-49622.

Caution: Notice that the code descriptor specifies non-infected mesh. If the surgeon documents removing infected mesh, turn to code +11008 (Removal of prosthetic material or mesh, abdominal wall for infection (eg, for chronic or recurrent mesh infection or necrotizing soft tissue infection) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)).