Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: A patient who had problems breastfeeding her newborn came to see our ob-gyn. What diagnosis code should I use?

Kentucky Subscriber

Answer: You will report Z39.1 (Encounter for care and examination of lactating mother). You do not need any other additional counseling code.

You can also assign code O92.- (Other disorders of breast and disorders of lactation associated with pregnancy and the puerperium), if the patient has a problem w ith the breast or lactation.

Watch out: You should not report P92.1 (Regurgitation and rumination of newborn), P92.2 (Slow feeding of newborn), P92.8 (Other feeding problems of newborn), or P92.9 (Feeding problem of newborn, unspecified) for assistance given to and billed under the mother’s medical record.