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Pediatric Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Apply Different V Codes to Twins' Discharge

Published on Fri May 21, 2004

Question: When my pediatrician discharges normal twins from the hospital, should I use the same normal newborn diagnosis code that I submit for a single birth? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: No, you should assign a twins diagnosis, such as V31.00 (Twin, mate liveborn; born in hospital; delivered without mention of cesarean delivery), with the hospital discharge (99238, Hospital discharge day management; 30 minutes or less; or 99239, ... more than 30 minutes). You may also report each infant's discharge. Reserve a single liveborn diagnosis, for example V30.00 (Single liveborn; born in hospital; delivered without mention of cesarean delivery), for a single infant. If you inappropriately apply a single-infant diagnosis to a twins claim, the insurer will probably deny the second discharge service as duplicative.

-- Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Andrew Borden, CCS-P, CPC, CMA, reimbursement manager at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee; and Charles A. Scott, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Medford Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine PA in Medford, N.J.
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