OB Global Question

[SSThomas03]

If a patient (39w) presents to the office for a routine visit and the physican admits her to labor and delivery, can the physician charge for the visit? (Note: The patient had only 2 prenatal visits prior to the visit.)

 

[ginanhp]

If your physician is doing the delivary all the antepartum care is bundled/global in the delivary code.

 

[roeslerje]

...Except when the physician has seen the patient less that four times in the office (due to a transfer of care, for example), then it is acceptable to bill out individual office visits. However, I would not bill for that particular office visit. If the patient delivered on the same day she presented for a routine visit and was admitted, then the global delivery code encompasses that. If she delivered 24 hours (or more) after that, then the corresponding hospital care codes should be used for the days up to her delivery.