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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Never Use an Open Code for a Lap Procedure

Published on Wed Oct 10, 2012

Question: I was told by one of my physicians that I can use code 49491 for a laparoscopic repair of an inguinal hernia on a preemie. Is this correct? California Subscriber Answer: You should never use an open procedure code to bill for a laparoscopic procedure. Do not use 49491 (Repair, initial inguinal hernia, preterm infant [younger than 37 weeks gestation at birth], performed from birth up to 50 weeks postconception age, with or without hydrocelectomy; reducible). Code 49650 (Laparoscopy, surgical; repair initial inguinal hernia) would be the appropriate code in this scenario.
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