Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Find Husband's RH Antibody Test Code Here

Question: What would be the best code to use for a husband coming in to test for his RH antibody status because his wife has had multiple miscarriages? Would screening code V77.99 or V78.9 be best?


Mississippi Subscriber
Answer: You should not use V77.99 (Special screening for other and unspecified endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, and immunity disorders) or V78.9 (Special screening for unspecified disorder of blood and blood-forming organs) because the Rh factor is not a disease condition. Although you won't find a code that specifically mentions an RH antibody status test, you should use the most specific code available -- which would be the new code V72.86 (Other specified examinations; encounter for blood typing). ICD-9 added this code for just this purpose. It became effective Oct. 1, 2005. 

Caution: Remember that you are testing the male, however, not the mother, so you shouldn't add a secondary code for multiple miscarriages.
 
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