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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Diagnosis for Labor Epidural

Published on Mon Apr 01, 2002

Question: What is an appropriate diagnosis for a labor epidural? We have used 644.10 (Other threatened labor; unspecified as to episode of care or not applicable) in the past with no problem, but one of our carriers is now denying it because it states threatened or false labor without delivery.

New York Subscriber  
Answer: If the labor leads to a vaginal delivery, 650 (Normal delivery) applies. Many different codes can apply to a cesarean section based on why it was performed. The 644 (Early or threatened labor) series breaks down into five-digit codes with more specificity, so consider using one of those that best applies. If you dont know the cause of false labor, use 669.71 (Cesarean delivery, without mention of indication; delivered, with or without mention of antepartum condition).
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