You Be the Coder: Ambulance Delivery? Focus on What MD Provides

Question:  One of our ob patients delivered on an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Our ob-gyn only took charge of the postpartum care. How should I report this?

Wyoming Subscriber

Answer: You should only report the E/M services for her hospital care, such as 99220-99223 for admission; 99231-99233 for subsequent care; and 99238 or 99239 for discharge day management. If the ob-gyn also provides outpatient postpartum care, you should bill 59430 (Postpartum care only [separate procedure]) when she presents to your office.