Overview
CPT Code 59515 describes the global maternity package for a cesarean delivery, including inpatient hospital admission, surgical delivery of the fetus and placenta via an abdominal incision, and inpatient plus outpatient postpartum care. Typical postpartum follow-up ends after one or more office visits within six weeks after delivery.
Purpose
This code ensures complete reimbursement for providers who perform cesarean deliveries and manage postpartum care when no antepartum services are billed under the same claim.
Clinical Scenarios Where CPT 59515 Applies
- The provider admits the patient for a planned or unplanned cesarean and provides postpartum follow-up visits.
- Cesarean delivery is performed for medical indications such as failure to progress, fetal distress, or placenta previa, followed by postpartum care.
- The patient transfers in for delivery only, but the same provider also provides postpartum care.
Procedure Overview for CPT 59515
- Inclusions: Hospital admission, cesarean delivery via abdominal incision, removal of placenta, immediate post-delivery inpatient care, and all postpartum visits up to six weeks.
- Exclusions: Antepartum care, repeat hospitalizations unrelated to delivery, or surgical complications managed outside the postpartum period.
- Documentation Requirements: Operative note for cesarean delivery, inpatient progress notes, postpartum follow-up visit notes, and discharge summary.
Billing and Reimbursement Tips for CPT 59515
- Bill once per pregnancy for cesarean delivery plus postpartum care.
- Do not bill antepartum codes unless those services were provided separately.
- Ensure operative and postpartum documentation is complete to prevent claim denials.
- If another provider handled postpartum care, bill CPT 59514 instead (delivery only).
Maximize Revenue for Cesarean Delivery Services with BillingFreedom
At BillingFreedom, we combine deep OBGYN coding expertise with data-driven revenue cycle management to ensure every service is valued to its fullest potential. Our approach delivers measurable results:
- Increase reimbursement accuracy by up to 20% through correct code usage and complete documentation.
- Cut AR days by 15–25%, improving cash flow and reducing payment delays.
- Lower claim denial rates by up to 30% with clean, first-pass submissions.
- Boost acceptance rates to 98% or higher by meeting payer-specific guidelines from the outset.
- Accelerate reimbursement timelines so payments arrive weeks earlier.
We handle the coding, compliance checks, and claim submissions, freeing your team to focus entirely on patient recovery and clinical excellence.
With BillingFreedom’s OBGYN medical billing services, your surgical expertise in cesarean delivery is backed by a partner who safeguards your revenue and keeps your practice financially healthy.
For more details about our exceptional medical billing services, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at info@billingfreedom.com or call us at +1 (855) 415-3472.
Your financial tranquility is our priority!
Related ICD-10-CM Codes
ICD-10-CM Codes
O32.0XX0 - Maternal care for unstable lie, not applicable or unspecified
O32.0XX1 - Maternal care for unstable lie, fetus 1
O32.0XX2 - Maternal care for unstable lie, fetus 2
O32.0XX3 - Maternal care for unstable lie, fetus 3
O32.0XX4 - Maternal care for unstable lie, fetus 4
O32.0XX5 - Maternal care for unstable lie, fetus 5
O35.3XX0 - Maternal care for (suspected) damage to fetus from viral disease in mother, not applicable or unspecified
O35.4XX0 - Maternal care for (suspected) damage to fetus from alcohol, not applicable or unspecified
O35.5XX0 - Maternal care for (suspected) damage to fetus by drugs, not applicable or unspecified
O35.6XX0 - Maternal care for (suspected) damage to fetus by radiation, not applicable or unspecified
O44.40 - Low lying placenta NOS or without hemorrhage, unspecified trimester
O44.41 - Low lying placenta NOS or without hemorrhage, first trimester
O44.42 - Low lying placenta NOS or without hemorrhage, second trimester
O44.43 - Low lying placenta NOS or without hemorrhage, third trimester
O44.50 - Low lying placenta with hemorrhage, unspecified trimester
O65.0 - Obstructed labor due to deformed pelvis
O65.1 - Obstructed labor due to generally contracted pelvis
O65.2 - Obstructed labor due to pelvic inlet contraction
O65.3 - Obstructed labor due to pelvic outlet and mid-cavity contraction
O65.4 - Obstructed labor due to fetopelvic disproportion, unspecified
O65.5 - Obstructed labor due to abnormality of maternal pelvic organs
O65.8 - Obstructed labor due to other maternal pelvic abnormalities
O65.9 - Obstructed labor due to maternal pelvic abnormality, unspecified
O66.0 - Obstructed labor due to shoulder dystocia
Z03.71 - Encounter for suspected problem with amniotic cavity and membrane ruled out
Z33.3 - Pregnant state, gestational carrier
Z34.80 - Encounter for supervision of other normal pregnancy, unspecified trimester
Z34.90 - Encounter for supervision of normal pregnancy, unspecified, unspecified trimester
Z37.0 - Single live birth
Z37.1 - Single stillbirth
Z37.2 - Twins, both liveborn
Z37.3 - Twins, one liveborn and one stillborn
Z37.4 - Twins, both stillborn
Z37.59 - Other multiple births, all liveborn
Z37.69 - Other multiple births, some liveborn
Z37.7 - Other multiple births, all stillborn
Z37.9 - Outcome of delivery, unspecified
Z39.0 - Encounter for care and examination of mother immediately after delivery
Z39.1 - Encounter for care and examination of lactating mother
Z39.2 - Encounter for routine postpartum follow-up