Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Tip: The majority of your new options specify trimester.

No longer should you look to 646.83 (Other specified complications of pregnancy; antepartum condition or complication) as a catch-all code to use when a patient comes in with a symptom complicating her pregnancy.

When October 1, 2013 rolls around, you'll have a variety of more specific options from which to choose:

• O26.11 (Low weight gain in pregnancy, first trimesteror)
• O26.12 (... second trimester)
• O26.13 (... third trimester)
• O26.41 (Herpes gestationis, first trimesteror)
• O26.42 (... second trimester)
• O26.43 (... third trimester)
• O26.811 (Pregnancy related exhaustion and fatigue, first trimester)
• O26.812 (... second trimester)
• O26.813 (... third trimester)
• O26.891 (Other specified pregnancy related conditions, first trimester)
• O26.892 (... second trimester)
• O26.893 (... third trimester)

Documentation tips: Notice how these conditions range from low weight to herpes to exhaustion and fatigue. Check your physician's notes for the specific complication and trimester (which is usually already stated).

Coding tips: Don't be confused by O99.89 (Other specified diseases and conditions complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium). This code is one of 648.93 (Other current conditions classifiable elsewhere of mother antepartum)'s equivalents. You would use this code (ICD-10: O99.89, ICD-9: 648.93) for conditions she has developed while pregnancy or had before her pregnancy that don't have a specific code. The codes listed above pertain to conditions related to pregnancy. In other words, she would not have them were she not pregnant.