This webinar addresses the nuances of obstetrics (OB) medical coding. It discusses the guidelines of what is included in obstetrics global packages during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum visits.

Explore Key Concepts and Complexities of Obstetrics Medical Coding

This comprehensive presentation addresses unique guidelines of obstetrics (OB) medical coding. It includes the concepts and guidelines of the global package, as well as things frequently missed that should be carved out of the global package. It addresses many of the diagnosis coding guidelines and concepts, which are very specific to codes in the “O” category, as well as many of the abbreviations and trimester documentation and needs.

This webinar reviews some of the terminology that is often used in an OB practice with definitions and understanding of the time parameters for fetal demise, missed abortions, and stillbirth. It discusses gestation weeks, stages of labor and pregnancy, high-risk pregnancies, diabetes in pregnancy, complications, antepartum visits and care, postpartum visits, deliveries, and ultrasounds and the coding behind them. It also captures many of the needs for multi-gestation pregnancies and some of the coding rules that are impacted.

All attendees are responsible for monitoring CMS updates and changes, as well as specific source guidance from individual payers. The information in the presentation is not all-inclusive, nor is it payer specific. OB is often an area with very specific payer needs, so payer policies, websites, and contracts must be reviewed.

Learning Objectives/Agenda

• Understand the key concepts and guidelines of OB diagnosis coding

• Know what services are carved out of the global OB package

• Recognize how to bill the delivery global package and how to break it apart when necessary

• Recommendations on how to track and avoid lost revenue

• Understand many of the common definitions and frequently used abbreviations and acronyms

Why is this topic important?

Pregnancy often has complex diagnosis issues that sometimes lead to misunderstanding of guidelines, which can result in unnecessary denials. There are also procedures done during the antepartum period, but are not part of the global package, so often these areas are identified as missed opportunities. Pregnant patients also present in the emergency department, urgent care center, primary care office, so OB rules impact more than just OB offices.

Knowing diagnosis guidelines for obstetrics coding will help with accurate coding, receiving proper and compliant reimbursement for provider services, better patient care and decision-making for treatment plans, and tracking patient outcomes used in research and statistical data collection for tracking trends in obstetrics and gynecology, which can influence future medical guidelines and policies.

Who would benefit from this topic?

• Obstetrics coders
• Obstetrics billers
• Office, practice, coding, and billing managers
• Obstetrics physicians
• Emergency and urgent care staff
• OB/GYN service providers

What’s the presenter's background/expertise on this topic?

Swindle has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. In her role as vice president of coding and compliance for Pivot Health, she is responsible for identifying and mitigating client risk by assessing, designing, and implementing proven compliance protocol. Swindle is highly credentialed as an auditor, but also has vast expertise as an educator and facilitator for both large and one-on-one sessions. She has written numerous articles on coding practice in AAPC the Magazine (formerly Coding Edge and Healthcare Business Monthly) and Healthcare Financial Management Association’s Revenue Cycle Strategist.

You rated this event: