Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Match the fibroid's location to code descriptors.If your ob-gyn regularly performs uterine fibroid removals, then you need to acquaint yourself with the changes that will be happening when Oct. 1, 2013 hits.Background: Fibroids (or myomas) are larger than polyps and are usually imbedded in the smooth muscle of the uterine wall. They are almost always benign, but in rare circumstances, they can become a sarcoma (muscle cancer). These growths require more work to remove, hence the procedures associated with fibroids tend to have more relative value units (RVUs). They occur in three main locations:Submucous fibroids (218.0) grow from the uterine wall toward the uterine cavity. They are also called intracavitary fibroids.Intramural fibroids (218.1) also called interstitial fibroids grow within the uterine wall (myometrium).subserous fibroids (218.2) or subperitoneal fibroids grow outward from the uterine wall toward the abdominal cavity.If the physician does not specify the location of the uterine fibroid, assign [...]