Wiki Vaginal Delivery at 17 weeks live born and retained placenta

[kmichellebier1]

I need some help with coding this case. Patient had a spontaneous vaginal delivery at 17 weeks the baby was born live, heart beat and movement were documented. The patient had a retained placenta after the delivery with heavy bleeding. My question is, how would you code the retained placenta? I was thinking 59160 due to the baby was born live and then I hear 59812 for treatment of incomplete abortion. Which way is the proper way to go in this situation? All help is greatly appreciated.

Kelly

 

[Cmama12]

If the baby was born spontaneously and live, you cannot use the abortion codes. You would use a regular delivery code even with the age being under 20 wks. Depending on how the retained placenta was removed, you would either do the 59160 or add a 22 modifier if removed manually and note supports extra work.