Routine Obstetric Care. Vaginal Delivery, Antepartum and Postpartum Care Procedures

CPT 59400 is a crucial code in obstetric care coding, used to report comprehensive maternity services provided by the same physician throughout the pregnancy. It reflects a global package that combines routine antepartum visits, vaginal delivery, whether spontaneous or assisted, and postpartum follow-up care. For coders, understanding when to assign 59400 is crucial to ensure accuracy and consistency in medical records. It is essential to note that this code applies only when a single provider provides all phases of care. If partial care is provided, different related codes may be more appropriate to capture the specific services.

Understanding CPT Code 59400

Description: Routine obstetric care, including antepartum care, vaginal delivery (with or without episiotomy and/or forceps), and postpartum care.

• Type: Global maternity care code
• Includes:
  • All routine prenatal visits
  • Vaginal delivery (standard or assisted)
  • Postpartum follow-up care
• Use Case: When the same provider manages the pregnancy from start to finish (before, during, and after delivery).
• Status in 2025: No changes - the description and usage remain the same.

Antepartum Care (Before Delivery)

Under CPT 59400, antepartum care includes:

• Initial prenatal history & physical exam
• Routine follow-up visits (typically monthly up to 28 weeks, biweekly up to 36 weeks, then weekly until delivery)
• Weight, blood pressure, and fetal heart rate monitoring
• Routine urinalysis (protein, glucose)
• Patient education & counseling about pregnancy progress
• Ordering routine lab tests & ultrasounds (but the tests themselves are billed separately)

Postpartum Care (After Delivery)

Postpartum care under this code covers:

• Hospital & office visits after birth(usually up to 6 weeks)
• Evaluation of recovery from delivery (healing, uterine involution, etc.)
• Management of minor postpartum concerns (breastfeeding issues, lochia, mild depression)
• Family planning discussion (basic counseling)

Important: More complex issues (e.g., postpartum complications requiring separate treatment) are not included in 59400 and should be coded separately.

Services Included in CPT 59400

This code reflects a global package that combines key phases of maternity care, including antepartum, vaginal delivery, and postpartum follow-up, when managed by the same provider.

Antepartum Care (Before Delivery)

This includes the initial prenatal visit with history and physical exam, routine follow‑up visits throughout pregnancy, monitoring of maternal and fetal well-being (weight, BP, fetal heart rate), basic counseling, and ordering of routine lab tests or ultrasounds (though the tests themselves are billed separately).

Vaginal Delivery

Covers normal or assisted vaginal Delivery, with or without episiotomy or forceps, immediate newborn assessment, and repair of minor perineal tears (first‑ or second‑degree).

Postpartum Care (After Delivery)

Involves routine hospital and office visits for up to six weeks, evaluation of maternal recovery, management of minor postpartum concerns, and basic family planning counseling.

What’s NOT Included

Some services are not bundled in 59400 and must be coded separately if performed:

• Delivery of fourth-degree laceration repair (requires additional codes)
• Multiple gestation deliveries (twins, triplets, different codes apply)
• Cesarean Delivery (covered under a different global code, 59510)
• Complicated newborn care or resuscitation (coded separately)

Why Choose BillingFreedom for CPT 59400 Coding Excellence?

At BillingFreedom, we bring unmatched expertise in accurately applying CPT 59400, one of the most frequently used yet complex codes in obstetric care. Our certified coding specialists have a deep understanding of global maternity care guidelines, ensuring precise documentation that accurately reflects the services provided. By eliminating coding errors and optimizing claim submissions, we help practices achieve seamless compliance and reduce the risk of denials. Our proven approach delivers 100% accuracy and reliable results, leading to significant financial improvements for healthcare providers. Many of our clients have experienced a 70% increase in revenue by leveraging our advanced coding strategies for high-volume codes, such as 59400. With our team handling this intricate process, you can focus on delivering quality patient care while we ensure your services are coded and reported with the highest level of professionalism.

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