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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Primary Diagnosis Key When Reporting Biliary Colic

Published on Thu May 01, 2003

Question: The ob-gyn admitted a pregnant patient to the hospital for a short stay because of biliary colic. Should I code the colic and then incidental pregnancy? Nevada Subscriber Answer: If the colic was not complicating the pregnancy, then yes, you should report biliary colic (574.2x, Calculus of gallbladder without mention of cholecystitis) with a secondary code for incidental pregnancy (V22.2, Pregnant state, incidental). On the other hand, if the physician states that the colic is complicating the pregnancy, you should report an obstetric chapter code (for example, 648.93, Other current conditions classifiable elsewhere; antepartum condition or complication). Use the biliary colic code (574.2x) as a secondary diagnosis.  
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