Advanced Search

Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Question:

You Won't Find CPT Guidelines For This 59850 Issue

Published on Mon Nov 07, 2011

Question: I know to bill 59850 for the delivery of twins (both nonviable) 19-4/7 weeks, but should I bill this once or twice with modifier 51 for twin "B?"California SubscriberAnswer: You won't find any specific guidelines in CPT for this issue, because at that age, each fetus is very small. Your best bet may be to add modifier 22 (Increased procedural services) to 59850 (Induced abortion, by one or more intra-amniotic injections [amniocentesis-injections], including hospital admission and visits, delivery of fetus and secundines). The reason is that the ob-gyn is not really repeating 59850 twice, only a small part of it.
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 your eNewsletter
  • 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
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

View All