We have only few CPT codes for the modes of delivery- like, Normal vaginal delivery, forceps/ventouse delivery or cesarean section.
But the complications of labor encountered are many. Whatever the complications of labor process, they are contained within these modes of delivery CPT codes.
The labor course may be spontaneous, precipitate/spurious(early) or prolonged labor.
Now, our topic is prolonged labor. The prolonged labor may be in one of these stages of labor : first or the second stage or both. In whatever stage was it prolonged, the culminating labor mode (here ) code was the vaginal delivery and the CPT available codes could be from either of these - global, vaginal delivery only or vaginal delivery and postpartum care.
As Michellde said the ‘good will modifier’-22 can be appended for the prolonged labor, irrespective of the payer honors it or not.
What I feel is, the modifier can well be appended to potentiate the time and work. But all that is important is the appropriate
diagnosis code for the prolonged labor to validate - whether was it during the first stage or second stage or in both stages, or stage unspecified-,
662.0x, 662.1x, 662.2x which will bring forth the real prevalent labor complication situation or scenario for the payers to validate the reimbursement.They cannot deny because of its medical necessity
This is just for a small talk only, not intended to intrude( not to be mistaken please)!