Reader Questions:
Use '2' as Fifth Digit for Hospital Delivery
Published on Tue Mar 01, 2005
Question: What is the difference between 2 and 4 in 667.02 and 667.04?
Missouri Subscriber
Answer: The code 667.0x means Retained placenta without hemorrhage. The fifth digit of "2" in place of the "x" means the patient delivered during her hospitalization and developed a postpartum complication. The fifth digit "4" in place of the "x" means she delivered and was sent home and has now developed a postpartum complication.
Note: You can find this explanation in all ICD-9 books. Remember always to read all of the notes that surround the listing of the fifth digits.