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 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
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 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
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
When an invasive antenatal procedure is performed, confirmation of the fetal heart beat or a systole post procedure is in included in the work of the procedure and should not be billed separately. Invasive Antenatal Procedures: 1. 59000 Amniocentesis; diagnostic and 76946 Ultrasonic... Continue Reading
A recent question was asked on the correct way to report an Umbilical Cord Occlusion via the Radio Frequency Ablation approach”. Below you will find two examples of multi-fetal reductions, their approach and correct coding guidance for billing purposes. Types of Fetal Reductions and... Continue Reading
Some payers have frequency guidelines related to Obstetrical ultrasound services, and will only pay for a certain number of scans per pregnancy, regardless of diagnosis and complications, provider specialty or practice tax ID. It is important to be aware of these contractual restrictions, and... Continue Reading
99446 Interprofessional telephone/Internet assessment and management service provided by a consultative physician including a verbal and written report to the patient's treating/requesting physician or other qualified health care professional; 5-10 minutes of medical consultative discussion and... Continue Reading
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that detects chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, as well as a host of other genetic disorders.CVS is a diagnostic procedure which involves removing some chorionic villi cells from the placenta at the point where it attaches to the... Continue Reading
Multiple scans may be billed on the same patient for the same date of service, as long as they are medically necessary and documented appropriately. Below are some examples on how to report the scans based on locations:Ultrasound performed at the office POS 11:768xx with No ModifierUltrasound... Continue Reading
A variety of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis methods have been developed to test for fetal trisomies in maternal blood. These tests fall into two categories: · Random Sequencing and · Directed DNA Analysis. Random sequencing analyzes a random subset of cfDNA... Continue Reading
