Wiki Fetal Demise-I wondering if

[jmcalhaney]

I wondering if I could get some help with a case I am looking at. The patient comes in with fetal demise and missed abortion. She is 20 weeks at gestation. The physician attempted to do a dilation and vacuum extraction, but this did not work. The physician then ended up doing a c section in order to extract the fetus. I have looked and looked, but have not found any examples similar to this. The physician has selected the global c section code 59510 and I am not sure that this is correct. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Thouvenel]

Before 22 wks, fetal demise is 632 for Missed AB. Also, I don't believe at 20 wks you should code global; I think the proper way of coding this is to code the antepartum visits out. Then bill the c-section 59515 del w/ PP, and you can bill the 59841 with the 51 & 53 modifiers. You may still have to appeal, but I believe with the correct documentation the insurance will pay.