News

Advancing Early Detection of Fetal Anomalies with Detailed First-Trimester Ultrasound

By Brian K. Iriye, MD; Vanita D. Jain, MD; and Anthony C. Sciscione, DO What is DFTU and Why Is It Important? The Detailed First-Trimester Ultrasound (DFTU) is a high-resolution scan performed between weeks 12 and 13 of pregnancy to detect fetal structural anomalies.1 It is indicated for... Continue Reading

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month

When I was a medical student, the disease process of preeclampsia was one of the things that sparked my interest in the field of obstetrics. Today, I am passionate about teaching patients and their families about preeclampsia because it is one of the most common conditions I manage. What Is... Continue Reading

New ICD-10-CM Codes for 2025

The newly released 2025 ICD-10-CM codes will become effective on October 1, 2024. Stay informed and ensure your practice remains compliant in this month's SMFM Coding Tip, which provides an MFM-focused overview of these updates. Continue Reading

High step counts can help women avoid complications in childbirth, Israeli study reveals

A new Israeli study found that when pregnant women near the end of their pregnancy walked around from 2,900 steps during their first trimester to 2,100 to 2,200 steps during the ninth month, they can significantly reduce the risk of having to get the baby by cesarean section. The exercise also... Continue Reading

Study Finds that Pregnancy Complications Can Also Affect Child’s Health Later in Life

National Harbor, MD. ― Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes (GDM) are twoof the most common pregnancy complications and put pregnant people at increased risk of developingcardiovascular disease later in life.Now, in a new study to be presented today at the Society for... Continue Reading

Pregnant People who Deliver Large Babies Are At Increased Risk of Developing Diabetes Later in Life

San Francisco, Calif. ― Studies show that diabetes in pregnancy — also known as gestational diabetes — puts a pregnant person at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is also a common cause of babies who are large-for-gestational age (LGA). LGA... Continue Reading

Updated ICD-10 Indications for The Performance Of A Fetal Echocardiogram

In the November 2021 issue of the American Journal of Perinatology, ICD-10 indications for Fetal Echocardiogram and Detailed First Trimester Obstetric Ultrasound were published. The abstract was authored by the SMFM Coding Committee and is based on indications published by AIUM and other national... Continue Reading

Pregnant People with Gestational Diabetes at Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

Study Looks at Long-Term Effects of Gestational Diabetes on Heart Health Washington, DC ― Research has shown that people who develop diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes, are at a greater risk of developing heart problems later in life. However, less is known about the range... Continue Reading

High-Quality Diet in Pregnancy is Associated with a Lower Risk of Fetal Growth Restriction

Washington, DC ― Research has shown that an unhealthy diet during pregnancy can have long-term effects on a child’s health. Now, in a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, which is being held... Continue Reading

Updates to 2021 E/M Office Coding Guidelines

In July 2019, the American Medical Association (AMA) published the “CPT Evaluation and Management (E/M) Office or Other Outpatient (99202-99215) and Prolonged Services (99354, 99355, 99356, 99417) Code and Guideline Changes,” which were put into effect on January 1, 2021. These... Continue Reading

Update & Guidance: 2021 CPT EM Office or Other Outpatient and Prolonged Services Code and Guideline

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Coding Committee; Steve Rad, MD; David Smith, MBA, CPC; Trisha Malisch, CCS-P, CPC; Fadi Bsat, MD; Vanita Jain, MD Effective January 1, 2021, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Evaluation and Management (E/M) Office or Other Outpatient... Continue Reading

Coding for Remote Patient Monitoring Services – An Update

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Coding Committee; Steve Rad, MD; Trisha Malisch, CCS-P, CPC; Brian Iriye MD; Irina Rubina, CPC; Vanita Jain, MD. PURPOSE: Updated information and new coding guidance regarding remote patient monitoring (RPM) In the era of the current COVID-19... Continue Reading