Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesHernia Open ProceduresCPT cpt-49500-pediatric-inguinal-hernia-repair-hydrocelectomy
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 49500: Pediatric Reducible Inguinal Hernia Repair

    Medicare pays $419 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 49500 describes surgical repair of an initial reducible inguinal hernia in a child aged six months to five years, and may include excision of an associated hydrocele; this is a pediatric hernia repair procedure typically performed as an inpatient or outpatient surgical service in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center under general anesthesia.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 49500 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 49500 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 2-year-old male presents to pediatric surgery with a palpable, reducible right inguinal bulge noted by the parents and intermittent scrotal swelling examined in clinic. The child is otherwise healthy with no prior abdominal surgery. The surgeon schedules an elective repair of a reducible indirect inguinal hernia under general anesthesia, likely performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department. Typical workflow: history and focused exam in clinic; preoperative assessment and anesthesia evaluation; same-day admission to ambulatory surgery or pediatric operating room; general endotracheal anesthesia or laryngeal mask airway; inguinal incision, high ligation of sac ± excision of associated hydrocele; hemostasis and layered closure; post-anesthesia recovery and discharge with pediatric postoperative instructions to the caregiver. Common payors include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare for qualifying beneficiaries.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    49505Repair initial inguinal hernia; reducible, age 5 years to 14 yearsAlternative age-specific code for older pediatric patients; used when patient age falls in this range
    49520Repair recurrent inguinal hernia; reducible, age 0-5 yearsUsed if the hernia is recurrent rather than initial repair
    10060Incision and drainage of abscess (simple or single)Rarely used if an infected hydrocele/abscess requires drainage prior to definite repair
    54050Urethroplasty, not otherwise specifiedExample of urologic procedure that may be performed concurrently if urologic pathology identified (limited relevance)
    54150Excision of lesion of scrotumPerformed if an excision of a separate scrotal lesion is needed during the same operative session

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    251V00000X
    224ZE0001X
    2279E1000X
    2471C1101X
    103TS0200X
    213EP1101X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-49491-PREMATURE-INFANT-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49491: Inguinal Hernia Repair in Premature Infant

    CPT-49492-PREMATURE-INFANT-INCARCERATED-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49492: Incarcerated/Strangulated Groin Hernia Repair in Premature Infant

    CPT-49495-INFANT-REDUCIBLE-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR-HYDROCELECTOMY

    CPT 49495: Infant Inguinal Hernia Repair, Reducible, ± Hydrocele Excision

    CPT-49496-INFANT-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR-WITH-HYDROCELE-EXCISION

    CPT 49496: Infant Incarcerated/Strangulated Groin Hernia Repair

    CPT-49501-PEDIATRIC-INCARCERATED-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49501: Repair of Incarcerated or Strangulated Inguinal Hernia in Child

    CPT-49505-PEDIATRIC-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR-AGE-5-AND-OLDER

    CPT 49505: Repair Initial Inguinal Hernia, Child 5 Years or Older

    CPT-49507-INCARCERATED-STRANGULATED-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49507: Incarcerated or Strangulated Inguinal Hernia Repair

    CPT-49520-RECURRENT-REDUCIBLE-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49520: Repair of Recurrent, Reducible Inguinal Hernia

    CPT-49521-RECURRENT-INCARCERATED-STRANGULATED-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49521: Repair of Recurrent Incarcerated or Strangulated Inguinal Hernia

    CPT-49525-SLIDING-INGUINAL-HERNIA-REPAIR

    CPT 49525: Repair of Sliding Inguinal Hernia

    Showing 1–10 of 35

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.