How to get more hernia repair patients

Hernia repair is a procedure some patients pay for themselves and others ask their insurer about, and how it is described shapes who books and what they expect. Many callers mention a bulge in the groin or near the belly button, or discomfort when they stand or lift. This guide is for owners, coordinators and front desk teams in general surgery practices: what MedlinePlus and NIDDK say about hernias and their treatment, which claims to avoid, and how to turn requests into well-informed consultations. Here, the general surgeon examines the patient and decides which tests are needed, and the surgeon and patient decide together on surgery and the procedure.

SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
Call or formThey call or send a request.
Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.

How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Know what hernia repair is and is not

The MedlinePlus hernia topic page says “A hernia happens when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle.” The MedlinePlus article on hernia says “A hernia is a sac formed by the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).” The article on inguinal hernia repair says “Inguinal hernia repair is surgery to repair a hernia in your groin.” The article on umbilical hernia repair says “Umbilical hernia repair is surgery to repair an umbilical hernia.” The article on ventral hernia repair says “Ventral hernias often occur at the site of a previous surgical cut (incision).”

Care starts with the surgeon’s evaluation, and not every hernia needs surgery right away. The inguinal hernia repair article says “If the hernia is small and not causing any symptoms, you may not need surgery.” The NIDDK page says “Research suggests that men with inguinal hernias that cause few or no symptoms may be able to safely delay surgery, an approach called watchful waiting.”

The inguinal hernia repair article says “Your health care provider may suggest hernia surgery if you have pain or your hernia bothers you during your everyday activities.” NIDDK says “To diagnose an inguinal hernia, your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical exam.” Only a physician diagnoses a hernia, and the physician or surgeon decides whether imaging tests are needed. The front desk does not say whether a caller has a hernia or needs surgery.

Do not present surgery or a named technique as the only answer or as a sure fix. The surgeon explains the options and decides on treatment with the patient.

Many visits involve a referral, often from a primary care doctor. Make the hand off from referring clinicians easy, and never offer or accept payment for referrals. See also patient referrals for medical practices, how to get more carpal tunnel surgery patients and how to get more bunion surgery patients.

2. Keep claims in line with the risk information

MedlinePlus and NIDDK give a balanced picture of surgery. NIDDK says “Talk with your doctor about the risks of hernia surgery and symptoms you should watch for after surgery.”

the inguinal hernia repair article lists general risks such as reactions to medicines, breathing problems, bleeding, blood clots and infection;
it also lists risks of this surgery, including damage to nerves, blood vessels or organs, long-term pain in the cut area and return of the hernia.

On results, MedlinePlus says “There is always a chance that the hernia can come back.” Do not promise relief from pain, that the hernia will never return, a recovery time or any other outcome in ads or on the phone.

Procedure choice belongs in the exam room. The inguinal hernia repair article says “You and your surgeon can discuss which type of surgery is right for you.” Do not push a named technique or add-ons; the surgeon explains the options after the exam, and the surgeon and patient decide together.

Write about patients with respect. Do not use fear copy about a hernia getting stuck or getting bigger, do not blame or shame people about their jobs, hobbies, weight or age, and avoid shock images and deadline pressure. Do not use a named technique or scar size as an ad hook. Keep ad copy aimed at adults, and never target minors in ads or social campaigns. Do not build ad audiences from hernias or digestive conditions, past surgery, weight, pregnancy, test results or other health information.

Be careful with children and teenagers. Most requests come from adults, but some calls will be from a parent. The MedlinePlus hernia article says “Babies and children can get hernias.” Do not tell parents that a child has a hernia or that any treatment will fix it. For a minor, a parent or guardian books and consents, and the surgeon decides whether and when treatment makes sense. If you text or email about an appointment for a minor, use the parent’s or guardian’s contact details and consent; see texting patients and the TCPA.

Avoid “pain-free”, “permanent fix”, “back to work in days”, “laparoscopic”, “robotic surgery”, “mesh-free repair”, “minimally invasive”, “risk-free”, “guaranteed results”, “insurance will cover it” and “FDA-approved”. Better: “the surgeon will examine you, explain the options, including watchful waiting, and help you decide whether and when surgery makes sense”.

3. Answer first-call questions honestly

How much does it cost? Give a clear starting price, say what it includes (consultation, any imaging tests the surgeon orders, the surgery, anesthesia, follow-up visits) and that what the surgeon finds, which procedure the surgeon and patient choose and whether one or more hernias are repaired affect the total. Say whether the consultation and imaging tests are priced separately.
Does insurance pay? Do not promise coverage. Coverage varies by plan, so the practice checks each patient’s plan.
Do I need hernia surgery? “We cannot tell that on the phone. The surgeon will ask about your symptoms and daily activities, your health and medicines, examine you and talk with you about the options, including watchful waiting and whether surgery makes sense.”
Will I be asleep? Do not promise a type of anesthesia; the surgeon explains the options.
Who does the work? Give the surgeon’s name and real credentials. Let callers check them with the state medical board.

When a caller asks about insurance, staff take the plan details and say the practice will check; they never say the treatment will be covered.

Leave screening to the surgeon. Your intake form can ask the patient’s age, the reason for the visit, where the bulge or discomfort is and how long it has been there, any past hernia repair or abdominal surgery, the referring clinician, current medicines, allergies and health conditions; for a minor, the parent or guardian fills it in. MedlinePlus tells patients to tell the surgeon or nurse if “You are taking any medicines, including medicines, drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription”. Never tell a caller to stop a medicine by a certain date, and never suggest a medicine or pain reliever. Medicine changes before surgery are for the surgeon to explain; MedlinePlus says “Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.” The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is. Pass any report of signs of infection after surgery, severe pain, a painful bulge that cannot be pushed back in, nausea or vomiting, or trouble urinating to the clinical team promptly. If a caller reports severe pain or a painful bulge with nausea or vomiting during the call, also tell the caller to seek emergency care. The surgeon decides whether someone is a candidate and which treatment is suitable. Front desk staff only collect the answers. Use the new patient phone script for the rest of the call, and book the consultation, not the treatment, while the caller is on the line.

The MedlinePlus hernia article says “Contact your provider right away if you have:” and lists “A painful hernia and the contents cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by lying down and using gentle pressure”, “Nausea, vomiting, or a fever along with a painful hernia”, “A hernia that becomes red, purple, dark, or discolored”. It also says “Contact your provider if you have:” and lists “Groin pain, swelling, or a bulge.”, “A bulge or swelling in the groin or belly button, or that is associated with a previous surgical cut.” Relay these.

4. Plan the consultation, surgery day and recovery

NIDDK says “If the diagnosis is not clear after a physical exam, your doctor may order imaging tests to check for an inguinal hernia.” Tell callers that the choice of care comes after the exam.

Make second opinions easy, and give patients time to talk through watchful waiting with the surgeon first.

For surgery day and recovery, ask your surgeons for written notes on preparing for surgery, a ride home, wound care, the activity limits the surgeon sets, warning signs and follow-up visits. MedlinePlus says “Ask your surgeon if you need to arrange to have someone drive you home after your surgery.” About the bandage, it says “Follow the surgeon’s instructions for how long to leave it on and when to change it.” Share them with callers and parents early. Aftercare depends on the treatment; the surgeon gives exact instructions and sets the follow-up schedule.

5. Price, finance and follow up

Self-pay patients may be entitled to a good faith estimate; see the good faith estimate guide.
If you advertise a discount, follow advertising prices and specials. Avoid deadline pressure on a treatment decision.
If you offer financing, follow the patient financing guide.
Before-and-after photos need written authorization and honest comparisons; see before-and-after photos. FTC guides treat a patient’s result as typical unless you disclose what patients can generally expect.
Follow up after the consultation without pressure; see consultation to treatment. Track hernia repair requests and referrals separately, from request to consultation to treatment, and keep the notes the surgeon needs for follow-up visits.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends practices requests from people interested in cash-pay elective treatments. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent naming that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more hernia repair patients?

Answer requests quickly, give clear prices and what they include, introduce the surgeon by real credentials, keep claims in line with the risk information, make referrals and second opinions easy, and book a consultation where the surgeon can ask about symptoms, medical history and daily activities, examine the patient and explain the options, including watchful waiting.

Can we promise callers the hernia will not come back?

No. MedlinePlus says there is always a chance that the hernia can come back. Staff collect intake answers only, and the surgeon and patient decide on surgery and the procedure after the exam.

What should the front desk do when a caller reports a painful bulge or signs of infection after surgery?

Collect the intake answers and pass any report of signs of infection after surgery, severe pain, a painful bulge that cannot be pushed back in, nausea or vomiting, or trouble urinating to the clinical team promptly, and tell a caller with severe pain or a painful bulge with nausea or vomiting to seek emergency care. The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is or suggest a treatment or medicine; the surgeon decides.

Does insurance cover hernia repair?

Coverage varies by plan. Check each patient’s plan, and do not promise coverage in ads or on the phone.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check device labeling, FDA requirements, state rules and your advertising with counsel and your clinicians. Last reviewed October 2026.

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How to get more hernia repair patients: a plan for practices