What Are The Most Common CPT Codes in General Surgery and Its Related Specialties

Each year, general surgery accounts for millions of procedures. Hospital-owned facilities alone reported 11.9 million major ambulatory surgeries in 2019. At the same time, claim denials on first submission average nearly 12% across the industry. 

CPT codes are at the center of this challenge. For surgeons and medical coders, they are not just billing tools; they are essential for accurate documentation, reimbursement, and compliance. This guide lists the most common general surgery CPT codes and their related specialties. 

You’ll find clear explanations of what each code represents, how it applies in practice, and the common mistakes to avoid. The goal is to make coding more accurate, reduce denials, and support the clinical work behind every procedure.

What Are the Basics of CPT Coding for Surgery?

CPT codes describe the surgical work performed and keep reporting and payment consistent. Most surgical services use Category I five-digit codes; Category III codes are temporary, and unlisted surgical codes end in 99. Codes are grouped by body system and usually progress from simpler to more complex work. Some services are marked as add-on codes, which never stand alone and must follow a valid primary code.

How to choose the correct code?

Begin with the main procedure, then confirm the approach, the exact site, and the extent. State whether the service was diagnostic or therapeutic. Open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic approaches often map to different codes; if you convert, report what you actually completed. Record size, number, and depth because they can change the code, and check whether the code is per lesion, per vessel, or per session. Note laterality when it matters and apply the correct modifier.

What Are General Surgery CPT Codes?

Since we’ve already covered what general surgery CPT codes are and how they function, let’s now look at some of the most common surgical procedures, what they involve, and how their coding is applied in practice:

CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder, most often performed laparoscopically and sometimes through an open incision. A cholangiogram or duct exploration may be added when needed.

Common Codes	Lap: 47562 for chole, 47563 (with cholangiography), 47564 (with common duct exploration). Open: 47600 for chole, 47605 (with cholangiography), 47610 (with common duct exploration).
Typical Global Period	90 Days
Modifiers Used	53 for discontinued 22 for increased services 78 for return to OR during global
APPENDECTOMY	Appendectomy is the removal of the appendix, either laparoscopically or through an open incision, and may involve perforation or abscess drainage.
Common Codes	44970 for laparoscopic 44950 for open, non-ruptured 44960 for open, for perforation/abscess +44955 for appendectomy done for a separate indicated reason during another major operation 44979 for unlisted laparoscopy appendix
Typical Global Period	90 Days
Modifiers Used	53 for discontinued 58 for planned interval/staged 22 for increased services

HERNIA REPAIR

Hernia repair is the closure of a defect in the abdominal wall or groin, which may be reducible or incarcerated, primary or recurrent, and repaired with or without mesh.

Common Codes	Inguinal (adult): 49505 initial reducible; 49507 initial incarcerated/strangulated; 49520/49521 recurrent; 49650/49651 laparoscopic initial/recurrent. Femoral options include 49550, 49553, 49555, 49557. Anterior abdominal (ventral/incisional/umbilical/spigelian): 49591–49596 initial, by total defect size and reducible vs incarcerated; 49613–49618 recurrent, by size and status. +49623 removal of non-infected mesh at time of repair. Parastomal: 49621 reducible; 49622 incarcerated/strangulated.
Typical Global Period	90 Days
Modifiers Used	LT/RT or 50 for side/bilateral (inguinal) 22 for unusual complexity 59 only for distinct, separate hernia sites

COLECTOMY

Colectomy is the removal of a segment of the colon, sometimes with reconnection of the bowel or with creation or closure of a stoma.

Common Codes	Open: 44140 partial with anastomosis; 44143–44146 Hartmann/colostomy options; 44160 ileocolic resection; +44139 splenic flexure mobilization (add-on). Laparoscopic: 44204 partial with anastomosis; 44205–44208 variants by reconstruction; +44213 splenic flexure mobilization (add-on).
Typical Global Period	90 Days
Modifiers Used	22 for increased services 58 for the planned second stage, such as stoma reversal 78 for unplanned return to OR

THYROIDECTOMY

Thyroidectomy is the removal of part of the thyroid (lobectomy) or the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy), sometimes combined with a neck dissection.

Common Codes	60220 lobectomy (one lobe, ± isthmus). 60240 total thyroidectomy. 60252 total/subtotal for malignancy with limited neck dissection; 60254 with radical neck dissection. 60260 completion thyroidectomy (removal of the remaining lobe after prior surgery).
Typical Global Period	90 Days
Modifiers Used	22 for increased services 58 for planned completion 78 for return to OR

MASTECTOMY

Mastectomy is the removal of breast tissue, done as a partial, total (including skin- or nipple-sparing), or modified radical procedure with axillary node dissection.

Common Codes	19301 partial mastectomy (lumpectomy with attention to margins). 19303 simple/total mastectomy (includes skin- or nipple-sparing). 19307 modified radical mastectomy (includes axillary node dissection).
Typical Global Period	90 Days
Modifiers Used	LT/RT for side 50 for bilateral if the payer wants one line 22 for unusually complex work

EXCISION OF SKIN LESION

Excision of a skin lesion is the surgical removal of a benign or malignant lesion with margins, followed by simple, layered, or complex closure.

Common Codes	Benign excision: 11400–11446 by size and location. Malignant excision: 11600–11646 by size and location. Closures (when separately reportable): 12031–12057 intermediate; 13100–13153 complex.
Typical Global Period	Often, 10 days for minor excisions
Modifiers Used	59 for distinct lesions/sites 51 multiple procedures 58 for staged re-excision

Challenges in General Surgery Coding and How to Fix Them?

These are the common challenges providers face in general surgery billing. Practices often lose 10–15% of their revenue to coding mistakes. For every issue listed, we’ve listed a practical solution you can use to resolve it.

Cholecystectomy

Problem 1: Confusing ICG with a true cholangiogram. Near-infrared ICG “firefly” imaging is not the same as radiographic cholangiography. Choosing the cholangiography code when only ICG was used results in denials or refunds.

Fix: If contrast was injected and ducts were imaged/interpreted, code for cholangiography; if not, use the basic cholecystectomy code.

Problem 2: Billing fluoroscopy separately. Intra-op fluoro (76000) is usually considered inherent to the surgery and not separately payable.

Fix: Don’t add 76000 unless a policy clearly allows it for that case.

Problem 3: Unclear who read the intra-op cholangiogram. The supervision/interpretation for the cholangiogram is billable by the interpreting physician, typically a radiologist. Sloppy documentation leads to missed or duplicate billing.

Fix: State in the note who interpreted the images and let that clinician bill the S&I.

Problem 4: Billing laps and open on conversions. If you convert to open, only the completed open procedure is reportable. Double-billing gets denied.

Fix: Drop the laparoscopic code after conversion.

Appendectomy

Problem 1: Incidental removal billed as treatment. A normal appendix removed during other abdominal surgery isn’t separately payable.

Fix: Bill only when the appendix is diseased and the op note says so.

Problem 2: Wrong code when the appendix is ruptured (lap cases). Laparoscopic appendectomy uses the same code whether inflamed or ruptured; trying to switch codes causes rejections.

Fix: Use the lap appendectomy code for both; add a complexity modifier only if the work was significantly greater and supported.

Problem 3: Tacking on routine lysis of adhesions. Basic adhesiolysis is bundled with other abdominal surgeries. Unbundling triggers denials.

Fix: Reserve separate reporting for unusually extensive adhesiolysis and document why.

Hernia Repair

Problem 1: Repair at the access incision is billed separately. A hernia fixed at the same incision used for another abdominal surgery isn’t separately reportable.

Fix: Bill a hernia repair only when it’s at a different site and medically necessary; document the separate incision.

Problem 2: Separate mesh billing. Mesh is included in the newer anterior abdominal hernia codes; separate mesh lines are commonly denied.

Fix: Don’t add a mesh code unless a policy explicitly allows it.

Colectomy

Problem 1: Forgetting splenic-flexure mobilization. Mobilizing the splenic flexure during a partial colectomy is an add-on service that many groups leave off.

Fix: Dictate the mobilization clearly and add the correct open or laparoscopic add-on.

Problem 2: Unbundling stoma creation. Hartmann-type and other specified colectomy codes already include creation of the end stoma/closure of the distal segment; adding separate stoma codes leads to denials.

Fix: Pick the colectomy code whose descriptor matches what you did (e.g., Hartmann).

Problem 3: Billing lap and open on conversions. Reporting both after a conversion is a frequent source of take-backs.

Fix: Report only the completed open procedure.

Thyroidectomy

Problem 1: Surgeon billing for nerve monitoring. Intraoperative nerve monitoring codes are not payable to the operating surgeon; they require an independent monitoring professional.

Fix: If monitoring is used, have a qualified, dedicated professional perform and bill it; otherwise, don’t add separate monitoring codes.

Problem 2: Vague notes around parathyroid work. Autotransplantation can be reportable when criteria are met, but plans get denied when the note is thin.

Fix: Document when a parathyroid was identified, devascularized, and transplanted, and follow your payer’s policy language for add-on use. (Policies vary; check your MAC or commercial policy.)

Mastectomy

Problem 1: Charging sentinel node work with a full axillary dissection. When a mastectomy includes axillary lymphadenectomy (e.g., modified radical), the sentinel node biopsy is not separately reportable. Billing both is a classic denial.

Fix: If you go on to a formal dissection at the same session, don’t bill the sentinel biopsy separately.

Problem 2: Missing the mapping add-on when appropriate. Intraoperative sentinel node mapping is an add-on service and is commonly overlooked when only a lumpectomy or mastectomy without dissection is done.

Fix: When mapping is performed with a procedure that doesn’t include an axillary dissection, add the mapping code and keep the documentation tight.

Excision of Skin Lesion

Problem 1: Measuring the wrong size. Code selection is based on the greatest clinical diameter plus the intended margins, measured before excision, not on the specimen size. Undersizing costs revenue.

Fix: Record lesion size and planned margins in the note before you cut.

Problem 2: Not billing eligible repairs. Simple closure is included, but intermediate and complex repairs are separately payable (with exceptions for tiny benign lesions). Groups often leave this money behind.

Fix: Document layered closure, undermining, or other elements that qualify; then report the appropriate repair code.

Problem 3: Mixing up benign vs malignant coding rules. Payers follow CPT/coverage rules closely; loose documentation invites recodes or denials.

Fix: State the lesion type in the op note and align your code with payer guidance; keep pathology handy for appeals.

CPT Codes for Related Surgical Specialties

Each surgical specialty has its own set of CPT codes that define common procedures. Understanding CPT codes by specialty helps providers bill accurately and avoid denials. Below are some of the frequently used codes across key specialties other than general surgery.

Specialty	Common Procedures	Example CPT® Codes
Orthopedic Surgery	Joint replacements (hip, knee)	27130 (total hip), 27447 (total knee)
	Arthroscopy	29880 (knee meniscectomy, medial & lateral), 29888 (ACL reconstruction)
	Fracture repairs	25607–25609 (distal radius ORIF, varying complexity)
ENT (Otolaryngology)	Tonsillectomy / T&A	42825–42826 (tonsillectomy <12 / ≥12), 42820–42821 (with adenoidectomy)
	Sinus surgery (FESS)	31254 (partial ethmoidectomy), 31256 (maxillary antrostomy)
	Ear tube insertion	69436 (tympanostomy under GA), 69433 (local/topical)
Gynecologic Surgery	Hysterectomy	58150 (abdominal), 58570–58573 (total laparoscopic), 58260–58294 (vaginal)
	Laparoscopy	58661 (salpingo-oophorectomy), 58662 (excision of lesions)
	Tubal ligation	58670 (lap, cautery/occlusion), 58671 (lap, device/clip)
Urology	Prostatectomy	55866 (laparoscopic/robotic radical), 55840 (open radical)
	Cystoscopy	52000 (diagnostic cystoscopy)
	Kidney stone removal	52356 (ureteroscopy + lithotripsy + stent), 50590 (ESWL)
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery	Breast reconstruction	19357 (tissue expander), 19364 (free flap), 19367–19369 (TRAM)
	Skin grafts	15100 (split-thickness, trunk/arms/legs, base unit)
	Cosmetic procedures	15823 (upper-lid blepharoplasty), +15847 (abdominoplasty add-on)

Modifiers and Special Billing Considerations

Accurate use of modifiers is one of the most important parts of surgical billing. A single misplaced modifier can lead to claim denials, underpayments, or even audits. On the other hand, correct usage ensures that providers get paid fairly for the work they perform.

Most Used Surgical Modifiers

Some modifiers are used more often than others in surgery:

• 22 – Unusual procedural services (extra work due to complexity)
  
• 52 – Reduced services (partial procedure performed)
  
• 59 – Distinct procedural service (separate site or encounter)
  
• 76 – Repeat procedure by the same physician
  
• 78 – Return to the OR for a related issue during the global period
  
• 79 – Unrelated procedure performed during the global period

When to Apply Modifiers in Surgery

Modifiers should only be applied when the operative note supports their use. For example:

• Use 22 if the case required far more work than usual, and document exactly why.
  
• Apply 59 or its subsets (XE, XS, XP, XU) only when a second procedure was truly distinct and not bundled.
  
• Use 78 for an unplanned return to the OR within the global period, but note that it pays only the intra-operative portion.
  
• Apply 79 when a completely unrelated surgery occurs during the global, which resets the global period.

Impact on Reimbursement and Claim Acceptance

Using modifiers correctly can directly affect your revenue cycle:

• 22 may increase payment, but often triggers record review, so detailed documentation is essential.
  
• 52 signals reduced services, leading to adjusted but payable claims instead of outright denials.
  
• 59 allows payment for distinct services that would otherwise be bundled, but misuse can invite payer audits.
  
• 76 and 77 clarify repeat procedures and help prevent duplicate denials.
  
• 78 and 79 determine whether a new global period begins and how much of the fee schedule applies.

Modifiers should never be used as a “quick fix.” Each one requires a clear reason in the operative note. Strong documentation is the best protection against denials and audits, while also ensuring proper reimbursement.

The Importance of Accurate CPT Coding

Accurate CPT coding is how you get paid correctly and on time. It tells payers exactly what service was performed, so claims pass edits and reimburse at the contracted rate. Clean general surgery CPT codes mean fewer denials, fewer resubmissions, and faster cash flow.

It protects you in audits. Precise codes and modifiers show medical necessity and match the note. This reduces overcoding, undercoding, refunds, and penalties.

It keeps you compliant with payer rules. Correct CPT selection aligns with NCCI edits, global periods, and modifier indicators. That alignment prevents bundling errors and avoids avoidable write-offs.

It strengthens documentation quality. When coders choose the right CPT, clinicians learn what details must be in the note (site, size, approach, laterality, time). Over time, this standardizes charting and cuts back-and-forth queries.

It improves analytics and contracting. Accurate CPT data feeds RVU reports, service-line profitability, and payer performance dashboards. You negotiate better when your utilization and costs reflect reality.

It supports value-based care and quality reporting. Many measures and risk models depend on precise procedure coding paired with diagnoses. Better coding improves measure capture and care-gap closure.

It protects patient trust. Accurate coding limits surprise bills and rework. Patients see consistent estimates and explanations of benefits.

In short, precise CPT coding protects revenue, reduces audit risk, and simplifies operations. It’s the foundation of clean claims and reliable practice performance.

Latest Updates in General Surgery Billing You Need to Know About

These are the latest updates in general surgery billing in 2025. Providers need to stay updated on CPT and billing rule changes because each update directly affects how they get paid and whether claims stand up under audit.

• New tumor/cyst codes: Old codes 49203–49205 are gone. Use 49186–49190 instead, based on the total size of all lesions removed. Surgeons must record measurements clearly in the op note.
  
• Skin cell suspension grafts: New codes 15011–15018 cover harvest, prep, and spray-on grafts. These codes include dressing application and are now contractor-priced under Medicare.
  
• Telemedicine billing: CPT introduced 98000–98016, but Medicare won’t pay 98000–98015. Keep using office visit codes (99202–99215) for Medicare telehealth. Only 98016 is accepted by Medicare, replacing G2012.
  
• Global period changes: Use modifier –54 whenever you only perform the surgery and hand off post-op care. New code G0559 lets another provider bill for post-op visits within the global.
  
• Lower Medicare rates: The 2025 conversion factor is $32.35, a 2.8% cut compared to 2024. Expect slightly lower reimbursements.

Conclusion:

General surgery CPT codes should reflect the exact work performed, nothing added, nothing missed. Set a firm rule: the CPT code for surgery must mirror the operative note line by line, with modifiers applied only when the documentation clearly supports them. Maintain a short, living quick-reference of common general surgery CPT codes, update it with policy changes, and require a second review before submission. Track denials by code, feed the findings back into brief staff education, and hold measurable targets for first-pass yield and days in A/R. Done consistently, surgery CPT codes stop being a bottleneck; surgical CPT codes and other surgical procedure codes become a stable, predictable part of operations.

If managing surgical CPT codes consistently feels overwhelming, partnering with a specialized medical billing company can help safeguard accuracy and strengthen your revenue cycle.