Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: My doctor saw a patient in the ER for hemorrhage after an abortion at 11 weeks. He performed a dilation and curettage (D&C) on her. Which D&C code would I use?

Utah Subscriber

Answer:  You should bill this as the surgical removal of an incomplete abortion (59812, Treatment of incomplete abortion, any trimester, completed surgically).

Remember: In case of a spontaneous abortion, at over 13 weeks, the fetus may be easily passed from the womb; however, the placenta is more likely to be fully or partially retained in the uterus, resulting in an incomplete abortion. The physical signs of bleeding, cramping, and pain can be similar to an early miscarriage, but sometimes more severe and labor–like.