Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: Our ob/gyn practice performs circumcisions, and were having trouble with Medicaid paying. Medicaid will pay for the procedure but not if we use diagnosis code V50.2, which we feel is the appropriate code. We have asked them to tell us what code we should use, but they have responded that they cannot give us diagnosis codes. What ICD-9 code should we be using for routine circumcision?

Anonymous GA Subscriber

Answer: The ICD-9 code V50.2 (routine or ritual circumcision/circumcision in the absence of significant medical indication) is the only correct code to report when there is no medical indication for the circumcision other than the parents want it done. You should ask your Medicaid program if they cover routine circumcision in the absence of disease or a problem with the child that would require circumcision. If the answer is no, you may be stuck because many Medicaid programs forbid billing the patient for non-covered services. So it is best to get the answer up front. I would have your physician contact the medical director of your states Medicaid program directly to discuss the problem. But there may be no way for you to be reimbursed by Medicaid for these services if it is not a covered procedure.