Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: What CPT code(s) should I report for induced abortion? The patient underwent laminaria insertion in the office and 24 hours later, the ob-gyn admitted her for induction using prostaglandins. Then the placenta failed to deliver spontaneously, so she was taken to OR. The placenta was evacuated along with a dilation and curettage (D&C).

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: You should report 59200 (Insertion of cervical dilator [e.g., laminaria, prostaglandin] [separate procedure]) for the office laminaria. Then you should report 59856 (Induced abortion, by 1 or more vaginal suppositories [e.g., prostaglandin] with or without cervical dilation [e.g., laminaria], including hospital admission and visits, delivery of fetus and secundines; with dilation and curettage and/or evacuation).