Billing code
S329A — Herniotomy - Strangulated Or Incarcerated - Without Resection Of Bowel
Strangulated hernia repair
Bill S329 for repair of a strangulated or incarcerated hernia when no bowel resection is needed.
Watch for: Bill S330 instead when bowel is resected, and add E409 or E410 for after-hours non-elective surgery.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $425.00 | $0.00 | $77.46 | $111.72 | $111.72 |
- Code
- S329A
- Description
- Herniotomy - Strangulated Or Incarcerated - Without Resection Of Bowel
- FHO+ basket
- Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Termination date
- No end date
Explanation
Updated October 26, 2026
Repair of a strangulated or incarcerated hernia without bowel resection. When bowel is resected, bill S330 instead.
What it covers
S329 is herniotomy for a strangulated or incarcerated hernia when no bowel resection is needed, listed under Herniotomy after the inguinal and femoral codes; S330 is the same repair with resection of bowel (S37).
The surgical fee covers preparing the patient, the operation, recovery-room care and follow-up until the first post-operative visit; it doesn't include the major pre-operative visit where the decision to operate was made (SP1–SP2, GP4). The listing carries 6 assistant and 7 anaesthesia basic units (S37).
Billing rules
- Use S330, not S329, when bowel is resected (S37).
- Add E725 for a recurrent hernia, or E726 for an inguinal hernia repaired more than twice before (S37–S38).
- For a special visit to do this non-elective surgery from 07:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, bill the consultation or assessment, the special visit premium and S329; at other times, also add E409 or E410 (SP2).
- E409 adds 50% to the procedural fee for evenings (17:00–24:00) on weekdays and daytime and evenings on weekends and holidays; E410 adds 75% for nights (00:00–07:00). Emergency department physicians on H-code shifts use E412/E413 instead (GP103–GP104).
- Surgical fees are for one side. For a bilateral repair, or another procedure under the same anaesthetic, the major procedure is paid in full and the other(s) at 85% (SP2, SP4).
- Patients under 16 get the surgical age premium, from 10% (age 5 to under 16) up to 30% (under 30 days) (GP64).
- E676 can be added (E676A +25% surgeon, E676B +6 assistant units) once per patient per physician when the BMI over 40 is recorded in the chart and the surgery is under general anaesthesia; S329 is on the E676 list (SP6–SP7).
Often billed with
- A034 General Surgery partial assessment, or A035 consultation, at the visit where the decision to operate is made (SP2, A107).
- A special visit premium, plus E409 or E410 after hours, when you come in for the non-elective surgery (SP2, GP104).
- G224 when you give a post-operative pain block lasting more than 4 hours yourself (GP100–GP101, J72).
Related codes: S330, S323, S322, S326, S345, E725, E726, E409
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Abdomen, Peritoneum and Omentum — Herniotomy, Strangulated or incarcerated, page S37; Surgical Preamble SP1–SP6; General Preamble GP103–GP104
APEX checks every paid claim against the Schedule of Benefits and flags codes billed below what the visit qualified for. See how APEX works · Pricing