Wiki Bilateral inguinal hernia repair???

[shellabell32]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but a co-worker asked me and I am just not sure of the answer:

If we do a lap inguinal hernia repair 49650 on both sides and one side is strangulated and one side is not is that still considered a bilateral procedure? She was curious if it would be modifier -50 or -59.

Thanks so much!!

 

[FTessaBartels]

I would use TWO lines

I would code as 49650-LT and 49650-RT. I would then tie the appropriate dx code to the appropriate procedure.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

 

[shellabell32]

It does-thank you!!!!!!!!!!!