Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Answer: As you are in the global period for the cesarean, you may have to add a modifier 79 (Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period) to the first insertion/removal (58300, Insertion of intrauterine device [IUD]).

And if the ob-gyn performed an ultrasound, you can bill for that too—either transvaginal (76830, Ultrasound, transvaginal) if the provider has documented this with a formal written report per the CPT^® guidelines or ultrasound guidance if the documentation supports that instead (76998, Ultrasonic guidance, intraoperative). Keep in mind that in order to bill for ultrasound guidance, the provider must document what was seen during the process.

For the second time she comes in, you can try using modifier 76 (Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional), but most payers only recognize that modifier when the procedure is repeated on the same date of service.