Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Answer: If the ob-gyn performed the cornual resection through an open incision, you should report 59136 (Surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy; interstitial, uterine pregnancy with partial resection of uterus). The reason is that this type of pregnancy is “interstitial.” An interstitial pregnancy means the ectopic pregnancy developed in the uterine portion of the fallopian tube.

 

You may not bill for the exploratory laparotomy, and you may or may not receive reimbursement for the diagnostic laparoscopy. Consider billing 59136-22 (Increased procedural services) to cover the laparoscopic portion of the surgery, but remember to also report V64.41 (Laparoscopic surgical procedure converted to open procedure) to indicate the converted procedure.