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 Cesarean Rates Persist in Obesity Despite Standardized Protocols

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND — Implementation of a standardized induction of labor protocol had no significant effect on the rates of cesarean delivery in patients with obesity, based on data from more than 5000 individuals. Previous research has shown that the risk for cesarean delivery... 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

Coding Obesity in Pregnancy - Updated

If a patient has a diagnosis of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) O99.21__ (obesity complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium) is an accepted indication for a detailed fetal anatomy survey (CPT 76811) according to published guidelines. To determine BMI in a pregnancy affected by obesity, we... Continue Reading

Utah medical professionals support the right to legal abortion

Utah law removes women from their proper role as decision makers Comprehensive reproductive health care includes abortion care. There is ample evidence that timely access to safe and legal abortion improves health outcomes, and barriers to access worsen outcomes. These harms have an especially... 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

Medical Necessity for Multiple Ultrasounds

The CPT code book clearly indicates that multiple ultrasound services that occur during a single encounter can each be reported separately. However, before payers will reimburse for multiple ultrasound services, the medical necessity of each service must be established. These four tips will help... Continue Reading

Coding Obesity in Pregnancy

If a patient has a diagnosis of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) O99.21__ (obesity complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium) is an accepted indication for a detailed fetal anatomy survey (CPT 76811) according to published guidelines. To determine BMI in a pregnancy affected by obesity, we... Continue Reading

How to Bill for Place of Service 19 “Off Campus-Outpatient Hospital”

Beginning January 1st, 2016 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is changing how physicians affiliated with hospitals record where they provide health care services to patients.To differentiate between provider-based hospital departments located either on or separate from the... Continue Reading

Non-Physician Providers in Maternal Fetal Medicine

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