49540 Repair lumbar hernia
Also known as: lumbar hernia repair, flank hernia repair, lateral abdominal hernia
Repair of lumbar or flank hernia with primary closure or mesh reinforcement.
In Plain Language
surgical repair of side abdominal hernia; closure of lower back hernia
Clinical Context
Surgical repair of lumbar or flank hernia. Indications include symptomatic hernias, enlarging defects, or prevention of incarceration.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 10.47 |
| Total RVU | 10.47 |
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 10.47, this code ranks in the 60th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.3x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49540?
CPT 49540 (Repair lumbar hernia) is a Surgery code. Repair of lumbar or flank hernia with primary closure or mesh reinforcement.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49540?
The work RVU for CPT 49540 is 10.47. This code is primarily used by General Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49540 used?
Surgical repair of lumbar or flank hernia. Indications include symptomatic hernias, enlarging defects, or prevention of incarceration.
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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.