Urology Coding Alert
Remember Inguinal Hernia Repair Includes Mesh Placement
Question: The surgeon completed an inguinal partial orchiectomy with inguinal hernia repair that included mesh placement. What codes should I use for the inguinal hernia repair and mesh placement as well as the partial orchiectomy?
Maryland Subscriber
Answer: Report first as the primary procedure the partial orchiectomy with 54522 (Orchiectomy, partial), which has an RVU value of 17.83.
Then, assuming that the patient is 5 years of age or older, submit code 49505 (Repair initial inguinal hernia, age 5 years or older; reducible) with RVUs of 15.07 as the secondary procedure for the inguinal hernia repair.
Note: Mesh implantation is separately payable only when performed with open ventral and incisional hernia repairs, but is included in open repairs of umbilical, inguinal, and other hernias.
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