Here is what I was able to find for you on the OBGyn listserv for Coding 911. I use it a lot because Melanie Wtt and Jan Rasmussen are the moderators and they know their stuff. I hope this answer helps you.
Question:
I see in my delivery log a NSVD for twins, dx is IUFD at 17 weeks. The procedure code that the hospital is billing is 69.52 Aspiration Post partum curettage with a missed abortion dx. Can somebody tell me if you can get into labor when the fetus is already dead? If anybody can shed some light, I will greatly appreciated
Answer:
The rule of thumb is: a fetus of less than 20 weeks 0 days gestation is not reported as a delivery unless it is born alive. At 17 weeks with fetal demise they could have surgical removed both fetuses, that is, if they did not do an induction to create labor pains (59821 at 17 weeks); or they could have done an induction with cytotec and then delivered the twins vaginally (59855). If a D&C was required following this the code changes to 59856. If they induced labor using IV Pitocin, then they can only report E/M codes for the entire process, but can bill prolonged services if documented in addition to the admission, subsequent hospital care, and discharge day management.
Melanie Witt, RN, CPC-OGS, MA