Journalists working on stories related to high-risk pregnancies or the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine can contact Greg Phillips, Director of Communications, at press@smfm.org for referrals to MFM experts and to request additional information. The press office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET.
The SMFM Coding Committee frequently receives inquiries on when and how to bill for Doppler of the ductus venosus, Doppler of the ductus arteriosus, and PR Interval measurement. Below are the suggested ways to report these services: Ductus venosus Doppler: This is billable when sampled as part of... Continue Reading
One challenge for ICD-10-CM code selection for MFM is the presentation of symptoms or conditions for which a precise diagnosis code doesn’t exist. ICD-10-CM offers several categories and subcategories from which to choose. They are: O09.89- Supervision of other high risk... Continue Reading
Telemedicine is the delivery of medical care or services from a distant site. Telemedicine provides two-way, communication between a patient and healthcare provider at a distant site. The communication is supported by audio and video equipment that allows a physician at the main hospital/office to... Continue Reading
Preconception counseling is an office consultation to discuss the potential risks a woman may face when pursuing pregnancy. Discussion typically involves identifying risk factors that could impact the progress of a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetus. Addressing issues ahead of time, such as... Continue Reading
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that has been associated with congenital defects, primarily of the central nervous system. According to the CDC, clinicians should screen women who have traveled to known areas of Zika transmission. Pregnant women who report clinical illness consistent... Continue Reading
One of the biggest changes in ICD-10 conventions, compared to ICD-9, is the EXCLUDES note. In ICD-9, the alert was simply “EXCLUDES…”. In ICD-10, the alert has been expanded to accommodate two concepts: EXCLUDES 1 and EXCLUDES 2. Excludes 1 means NOT CODED HERE. The code(s)... Continue Reading
Do you remember Aesop's Fables story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"? Many times the boy tells the villagers that a wolf is attacking his flock. He tells them so many times that one day when the wolf really is attacking, no one believes him. Does this sound a little like the government and ICD-10? ... Continue Reading
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have reported a projected decrease in the workforce over the next two decades.1 This anticipated change in supply and demand is correlated with the demographic changes among physicians and patients, the aging population, and the relatively... Continue Reading
The nuchal translucency ultrasound scan and blood tests are often done together in what is called the combined first-trimester genetic screen. Part of the first trimester genetic screen uses ultrasound to measure the thickness of the area at the back of the baby's neck. Obtaining the biochemical... Continue Reading
Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented four new modifiers to define specific subsets of the 59 modifier. These new modifiers are referred to as X{EPSU} modifiers, and are more selective versions of modifier 59. Current procedural terminology... Continue Reading
How is continuous NST monitoring billed when a patient is admitted to the hospital? Inpatient continuous fetal heart rate and/or uterine contraction monitoring is not billed as non-stress test (59025) or contraction stress test (59020). Instead, continuous monitoring is included in the... Continue Reading
CPT code 93975 describes duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow of abdomen, retroperitoneum, scrotal contents and/or pelvic organs. This code applies to a complete evaluation, and may be used whether single or multiple organs are studied. It is a "complete" study, in that all major... Continue Reading
