Coder90
Contributor
Hi, an obgyn coding job opened up at my work. With the changes happening to obgyn coding, is now a good time to start coding for it? I was always hesitant about coding obgyn since it looks like it's very complicated.
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Wiki New to obgyn coding
- Thread starter Coder90
- Start date
Pam Warren
True Blue
The changes are due to be implemented in January of 2027. I'd take the opportunity and learn as much as you can from a gyne surgery perspective. The unbundling of the OB package is just one piece of what's done in OBGYN coding. There will be E&M, imaging, office procedures and surgeries as well that you'll need to learn, and that's not expected to change.
If you enjoy learning new things, now is an AMAZING time to start learning OB. 
I agree with Pam to focus more on what isn't changing. Remain flexible on the antepartum/delivery/postpartum services until the new guidelines start 01/01/2027.
Some payors have already started updating their policies about how they want maternity billed through this transition period. Typically, when there is a new CPT, you don't have patients mid-treatment when the guidelines change. However, for maternity, the patients delivering in the beginning of 2027 are already pregnant now and receiving care. The challenge is that there will be AMA guidelines, ACOG advice, and payor policies. There will be situations where those items do not align, which will certainly make for some gray areas. In my organization, we are preparing for the changes, and for any payor with a policy to start sooner, we are coding based on their policy. Good luck!
I agree with Pam to focus more on what isn't changing. Remain flexible on the antepartum/delivery/postpartum services until the new guidelines start 01/01/2027. Some payors have already started updating their policies about how they want maternity billed through this transition period. Typically, when there is a new CPT, you don't have patients mid-treatment when the guidelines change. However, for maternity, the patients delivering in the beginning of 2027 are already pregnant now and receiving care. The challenge is that there will be AMA guidelines, ACOG advice, and payor policies. There will be situations where those items do not align, which will certainly make for some gray areas. In my organization, we are preparing for the changes, and for any payor with a policy to start sooner, we are coding based on their policy. Good luck!
nielynco
True Blue
First, it is always best if you have a question that is unrelated to the thread you are reading to create a new thread. It makes it easier for others to research the topic in case they have a similar question. In this case, you have not indicated whether this is true preexisting hypertension or gestational hypertension. If this is unknown and the patient simply has one elevated reading, the code O16.-- is more correct as this code indicates unspecified hypertension. The code O26.893 would be reported when the patient had some other unspecified problem that was related to pregnancy.