Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Hint: You can report complications before or after delivery. You can receive increased reimbursement when your ob-gyn provides additional visits outside of the normal global ob package, but you'll have to make sure you've coded high-risk or complicated obstetrical care correctly -- and that means perfecting your ICD-9 coding skills. Zero in on the Most Specific Diagnoses You have to link the ICD-9 code on the CMS-1500 claim form (boxes 21 and 24E) to an E/M code, for example, to demonstrate the reason for the additional service. You can add this to the claim that includes the global service, or you can submit it as an additional claim. Example: A 33-year-old patient, gravida 3, para 2 (both normal spontaneous vaginal delivery [NSVD] full term), is seen in the office 19 times due to developing pre-eclampsia. After the delivery, you review the case and find that the patient required six additional visits [...]