Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: Am I limited to using the 640 series of codes (hemorrhage in early pregnancy) when a patient has spotting prior to 22 weeks, even though I know the specific problem is hemorrhage from placenta previa?
 
Montana Subscriber

 
Answer: ICD-9 rules require that you bill the most specific code that describes what you know at the time of the encounter. The placenta previa codes do not stipulate a gestation period and can be used prior to 22 weeks. Because there was bleeding, the code would be 641.13 (hemorrhage from placenta previa, antepartum condition or complication) if the hemorrhage was indeed coming from the placenta previa.