Post-Term Pregnancies Means This Many Weeks
Question: We are seeing patients with post-term pregnancies. What does that mean, and how should I report it? California Subscriber Answer: Patients whose pregnancies last longer than 40 weeks gestation are either labeled “post-term pregnancies” (40-42 weeks) or “prolonged pregnancies” (over 42 weeks). For these pregnancies, you have the following diagnosis codes: In other words, you should report O48.0 when the physician documents the patient’s pregnancy is over 40-42 weeks completed gestation (that is, 40 weeks 1 day to 42 weeks 0 days). You should report O48.1 when the physician documents the patient’s pregnancy has advanced over 42 weeks of completed gestation (42 weeks 1 day or longer). But remember that you must also report a Z3A.- (Weeks of gestation) diagnosis code that indicates the week of gestation on the date you report her late pregnancy. Suzanne Burmeister, BA, MPhil, Medical Writer and Editor
