Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: We're charging for a fetal non-stress test (NST). Is it OK if the obgyn was not present on the day the patient underwent the NST?

Answer: Yes. The code for the NST (59025, Fetal non-stress test) has both a technical (modifier TC, Technical component) and professional component (modifier 26, Professional component) and no requirement for direct physician supervision.

Important: If your ob-gyn wasn't present for the NST performed at the hospital and documented the interpretation, you should report 59025-26. The hospital would then report 59025-TC. If the patient underwent the NST in the office, you should report 59025 alone.