Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: Do you have any advice on billing internal fetal monitoring (IUPC)? Can I bill code 59050 on same date of delivery?

Can IUPC 59050, be billed with 59200 (induction of labor)? Can 59050 be billed with 59070 (Transabdominal amnioinfusion, including ultrasound guidance)? Can all three codes 59050, 59200, and 59070 be billed together?

What place of service should I use: 59050, ER (23) or Outpatient hospital (22) or 21 (inpatient hospital)?

I appreciate help and feedback!

Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: A consulting physician can bill 59050 (Fetal monitoring during labor by consulting physician (ie, non-attending physician) with written report; supervision and interpretation) (emphasis added), not the physician who is delivering or a member of his/her practice.

You should include fetal monitoring, no matter how performed, in expected global care. Also, you should always include induction of labor (59200, Insertion of cervical dilator (eg, laminaria, prostaglandin) (separate procedure)) when performed on the date of delivery.

Why would an ob-gyn perform an amnioinfusion (59070) and then try and start labor on the same date of service? You will need better information to address this part of your question.

As to the place of service, where was the patient when all this occurred? That is the POS code you should use.