Making Sense of Obstetric Coding

Gain an understanding on obstetric coding and how to properly choose codes based on guidelines.

Coding for obstetrics can be confusing with its own obstacle course. It may seem straightforward but quite the contrary. It is not only confusing for the provider but can also be hard to understand for the patient as well. ICD-10-CM Chapter 15 codes have their own unique guidelines that if not applied and understood can lead to numerous denials. Antepartum care, delivery, and post-partum care equates to the total global package according to CPT but what about other services that are outside of the global package? Services such as depression screening, seeing the patient for something that is unrelated to the pregnancy, lactation services, complicated pregnancy, or complicated deliveries. Not only does the provider have to wait to get paid in the majority of the cases but adding denials to the mix can cause more of a ripple in the revenue cycle. This topic will benefit anyone that participates in the care of an obstetrical patient. For example, how do I bill for the initial visit is often a common question that arises from an OB provider. Knowing the different coding guidelines and being able to effectively apply them in your daily coding can benefit seasoned coders and those new to coding obstetrics. This material will cover a variety of additional services commonly provided in the OB office that are billable outside the global OB package.