Wiki Ventral vs Epigastric hernia

[jaimewicklund]

Here is my question.

I have a doctor who found out that billing out a "Ventral hernia repair pays much higher than billing out a more specific hernia repair.

Is it appropriate to default to the (open) ventral hernia repair?

When is it ever appropriate to use the (open) epigastric hernia repair code alone? (49570)

Is their anything in writing to support either of these?

Thanks for your help!!!