Wiki Hospital discharge code after vaginal delivery

Tonyj

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I have a provider billing the delivery code 59400 with the hospital discharge code 99239.
Is the delivery code inclusive of the discharge?
Thanks in advance to any assistance.
 
Discharge is included in package so far as I'm aware. At my practice (we are not a hospital, our CNM's do deliveries at the hospital, we only bill for the CNM's services) we use placeholder codes for all our OB care other than delivery when we use 59400. Our managed Medicare payors have given us separate placeholder codes for hospital discharge, while our private payors just have us use the post partum placeholder codes. It's insurance by insurance, but I'd never bill a 59400 with a 99239, only time I use discharge codes (or any of the other hospital visit codes) is if billing with a 59409.
 
@MoniiRuppe is correct. Excluding if there was a complication, or an unrelated medical issue, if you are billing for global maternity care, the hospital discharge is included. Here are some reputable references:
 
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