49501 repair ing hernia initial blocked
Also known as: emergency hernia repair, incarcerated hernia surgery, strangulated hernia repair
Initial repair of inguinal hernia with hernia incarcerated or strangulated requiring emergency treatment.
In Plain Language
emergency surgical repair of trapped groin hernia; urgent treatment of strangulated hernia
Clinical Context
Urgent surgical repair of incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernia. Requires immediate intervention to prevent bowel necrosis and sepsis.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 9.13 |
| Total RVU | 9.13 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 9.13, this code ranks in the 55th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.1x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49501?
CPT 49501 (repair ing hernia initial blocked) is a Surgery code. Initial repair of inguinal hernia with hernia incarcerated or strangulated requiring emergency treatment.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49501?
The work RVU for CPT 49501 is 9.13. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Emergency Medicine. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49501 used?
Urgent surgical repair of incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernia. Requires immediate intervention to prevent bowel necrosis and sepsis.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.