Be Prepared: New Hernia Repair Codes Coming Soon

Medlearn Media NPOS Non-patient outcome spending

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) changes for 2023 were released on Sept. 12. This release from the American Medical Association (AMA) includes 225 new codes, 75 deletions, and 93 revisions. The update totals 393 editorial changes.

There has been a change in the CPT codes for hernia repair, which have been revised for 2023. There is a new section note before CPT 49491, which states that hernia repair codes are categorized primarily by type of hernia (inguinal, femoral, lumbar, omphalocele, anterior abdominal, parastomal).

There are 15 new codes under femoral hernia, abdominal hernia, and parastomal hernia repairs. The new codes identify the length of the defect and if the hernia is reducible. There is an illustration after 49600 that depicts measuring anterior abdominal defects. The description states that the total length of the defect corresponds to the maximum width or height of an oval drawn around the outer perimeter of all repaired defects.

If the defects are not contiguous and are separated by greater than or equal to 10 cm of intact fascia, the total defect size is the sum of each defect measured individually. This information is important to convey to your surgeons, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who may be documenting this condition. This documentation will be important for assigning accurate CPT codes.

Another new code, an add-on code, is 49623, for the total removal or near-total removal of non-infected mesh or other prosthesis at the time of initial or recurrent anterior abdominal or parastomal hernia repair, any approach. Anterior abdominal hernia types include epigastric, incisional, ventral, umbilical, and spigelian. To remove infected mesh, use 11008, which is also an add-on code.

Another change is that the CPT codes will include the implantation of mesh. The CPT add-on code 49568 has been deleted. Under the Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC), this CPT code was not reimbursed.

Another task to prepare for 2023 is to analyze the revenue impact created by the change in the CPT codes. Like the analysis of the deletion of 49568, review the impact that other deletions will have on your revenue.

Utilize Addendum B from the 2023 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) to understand the impact of the new CPT codes with an estimated volume on the bottom line (keep in mind that Addendum B has not yet been published).

The 2023 CPT codes will be effective Jan. 1, 2023. There is still time to complete documentation education with the medical staff.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Laurie M. Johnson, MS, RHIA, FAHIMA, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer

Laurie Johnson is currently a senior healthcare consultant for Revenue Cycle Solutions, based in Pittsburgh, Pa. Laurie is an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer. She has more than 35 years of experience in health information management and specializes in coding and related functions. She has been a featured speaker in over 40 conferences. Laurie is a member of the ICD10monitor editorial board and is a permanent panelist on Talk Ten Tuesdays

Related Stories

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

Stop revenue leakage and boost hospital performance by mastering risk adjustment and HCCs. This essential webcast with expert Cheryl Ericson, RN, MS, CCDS, CDIP, will reveal how inaccurate patient acuity documentation leads to lost reimbursements through penalties from poor quality scores. Learn the critical differences between HCCs and traditional CCs/MCCs, adapt your CDI workflows, and ensure accurate payments in Medicare Advantage and value-based care models. Perfect for HIM leaders, coders, and CDI professionals.  Don’t miss this chance to protect your hospital’s revenue and reputation!

May 29, 2025
I050825

Mastering ICD-10-CM Coding for Diabetes and it’s Complications: Avoiding Denials & Ensuring Compliance

Struggling with ICD-10-CM coding for diabetes and complications? This expert-led webcast clarifies complex combination codes, documentation gaps, and sequencing rules to reduce denials and ensure compliance. Dr. Angela Comfort will provide actionable strategies to accurately link diabetes to complications, improve provider documentation, and optimize reimbursement—helping coders, CDI specialists, and HIM leaders minimize audit risks and strengthen revenue integrity. Don’t miss this chance to master diabetes coding with real-world case studies, key takeaways, and live Q&A!

May 8, 2025
2025 Coding Clinic Webcast Series

2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

Uncover critical guidance. HIM coding expert, Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, provides an interactive review on important information in each of the AHA’s 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics in easy-to-access on-demand webcasts, available shortly after each official publication.

April 14, 2025

Trending News

Featured Webcasts

Medicare Advantage 2026: Navigating New Rules, Denial Protections & SDoH Shifts

Medicare Advantage 2026: Navigating New Rules, Denial Protections & SDoH Shifts

Stay ahead of Medicare Advantage’s 2025-2026 regulatory changes in this critical webcast featuring expert Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM. Learn how new CMS rules limit MA plan denials, protect hospitals from retroactive claim reopenings, and modify Two-Midnight Rule enforcement—plus key insights on omitted SDoH mandates and heightened readmission scrutiny. Discover actionable strategies to safeguard revenue, ensure compliance, and adapt to evolving health equity priorities before the June 2025 deadline. Essential for hospitals, revenue cycle teams, and compliance professionals navigating MA’s shifting landscape.

May 28, 2025
Navigating the 3-Day & 1-Day Payment Window: Compliance, Billing, and Revenue Protection

Navigating the 3-Day & 1-Day Payment Window: Compliance, Billing, and Revenue Protection

Struggling with CMS’s 3-Day Payment Window? Join compliance expert Michael G. Calahan, PA, MBA, CCO, to master billing restrictions for pre-admission and inter-facility services. Learn how to avoid audit risks, optimize revenue cycle workflows, and ensure compliance across departments. Critical for C-suite leaders, providers, coders, revenue cycle teams, and compliance teams—this webcast delivers actionable strategies to protect reimbursements and meet federal regulations.

May 15, 2025
Audit-Proof Your Wound Care Procedures: Expert Insights on Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Audit-Proof Your Wound Care Procedures: Expert Insights on Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Providers face increasing Medicare audits when using skin substitute grafts, leaving many unprepared for claim denials and financial liabilities. Join veteran healthcare attorney Andrew B. Wachler, Esq., in this essential webcast and master the Medicare audit process, learn best practices for compliant billing and documentation, and mitigate fraud and abuse risks. With actionable insights and a live Q&A session, you’ll gain the tools to defend your practice and ensure compliance in this rapidly evolving landscape.

April 17, 2025
Utilization Review Essentials: What Every Professional Needs to Know About Medicare

Utilization Review Essentials: What Every Professional Needs to Know About Medicare

Dr. Ronald Hirsch dives into the basics of Medicare for clinicians to be successful as utilization review professionals. He’ll break down what Medicare does and doesn’t pay for, what services it provides and how hospitals get paid for providing those services – including both inpatient and outpatient. Learn how claims are prepared and how much patients must pay for their care. By attending our webcast, you will gain a new understanding of these issues and be better equipped to talk to patients, to their medical staff, and to their administrative team.

March 20, 2025

Trending News

Prepare for the 2025 CMS IPPS Final Rule with ICD10monitor’s IPPSPalooza! Click HERE to learn more

Get 15% OFF on all educational webcasts at ICD10monitor with code JULYFOURTH24 until July 4, 2024—start learning today!

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24