Advanced Search

Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Double-Billing for Twins

Published on Mon Oct 01, 2001

Question: If a patient delivers twins, can my practice bill twice for the c-section using modifier -51 on the second procedure?

Ohio Subscriber
 
Answer: If only one surgery is performed and two babies are delivered at the same operative site, you cannot bill twice for the c-section (59514, cesarean delivery only), regardless of which modifier you use. When delivering twins by c-section, you can append modifier -22 (unusual procedural services) to the code and send in the operative report, but many carriers will not pay extra for multiple births. Some might pay extra for two or more vaginal deliveries, but not for cesareans.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

View All