Reader Question:
Use 655.8x if Physician Monitoring
Published on Fri Jan 02, 2004
Question: A patient came in to confirm her pregnancy but still has an intrauterine device (IUD) in her uterus. Which diagnosis code should I use for this?
Ohio Subscriber Answer: You should review 655.8x (Other known or suspected fetal abnormality, not elsewhere classified). But use this code only if the IUD causes the ob-gyn to intervene in some way, such as performing an ultrasound (for example, 76801, Ultrasound, pregnant uterus, real time with image documentation, fetal and maternal evaluation, first trimester [<14 weeks 0 days], transabdominal approach; single or first gestation).
If the physician merely notes the IUD in the patient's chart but is not monitoring her for it, you should not code it.
