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subject: Ob-gyn Coding - How To Report Perpetual Infection? [print this page]


As an ob-gyn coder, are you armed with all the ICD-9 2010 changes that will affect your practice? If so, its high time you readied yourself for all the changes. This time, ICD-9 2010 brought new hyperplasia, mammogram, and fertility preservation codes. In some cases, these codes simply expanded on existing options, and its up to you to spot when you should report the new versus old alternatives.

Read on to see if you can choose the proper code for services performed. If you had to choose between the following, how would you report a situation if your ob-gyn documents a perpetual infection, a bacterial illness following childbirth?

670.0 -- Major puerperal infection

670.1x [0,2,4] -- Puerperal endometritis

670.2x [0,2,4] -- Puerperal sepsis

670.3x [0,2,4] -- Puerperal septic thrombophlebitis

670.8x [0,2,4] -- Other major puerperal infection

This is indeed a tricky situation. Your ob-gyn must document the infection type more specifically, which means that with more information, your best options are the second and the fourth one. For these codes, youll need to include a fifth digit. For instance, a fifth digit of 0 represents unspecified as to episode of care or not applicable. While a fifth digit of 2 means delivered with mention of postpartum condition or complication.

To keep your ob-gyn practice up to date with these ICD-9 2010 code changes, there are lots of online resources available, which are not only handy but also doesnt cost your pocket dear. So sign into one and see the difference it brings to your ob-gyn coding practice.

by: James Article




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