CPT Code 59622 Repeat Cesarean Delivery After Failed VBAC (Global)

Overview

In this global service, the provider admits the patient to the hospital for delivery and provides intensive management of labor with delivery of the fetus and placenta via an abdominal incision and inpatient and outpatient postpartum care. The patient’s attempt at a vaginal delivery after a previous cesarean delivery fails, resulting in a repeat cesarean. 

Typical global services begin with admission for a full-term cesarean delivery at thirty-nine to forty weeks of gestation and include routine inpatient care and outpatient postpartum care of one or more visits up to six weeks following delivery. 

This code ensures complete documentation and proper reimbursement for providers handling complex labor situations where VBAC attempts require surgical intervention.

Purpose

CPT 59622 captures the global services provided when a patient with a previous cesarean attempts a vaginal birth, but the attempt fails, necessitating a repeat cesarean. It ensures that providers are reimbursed for the full spectrum of care, from hospital admission and labor management to surgical delivery and postpartum follow-up. This protects practices from underpayment in complex obstetric scenarios.

Clinical Scenarios Where 59622 Is Applicable

• Patient attempts VBAC, but labor fails, requiring cesarean delivery.
• High-risk pregnancies where prior cesarean history leads to planned or emergency repeat cesarean.
• Situations where a provider delivers both surgical and postpartum care in a single comprehensive package.

Setting

Typically billed in hospital-based OBGYN practices, maternity centers, or specialized labor and delivery units managing VBAC attempts and repeat cesarean deliveries.

Documentation Requirements for 59622

• Admission records, including gestational age and VBAC attempt details.
• Operative notes for cesarean delivery, including fetal and placental outcomes.
• Intensive labor management documentation.
• Postpartum care notes covering one or more outpatient visits up to six weeks.
• Any complications or additional procedures during delivery.

Billing and Reimbursement Tips for 59622

• Bill once per pregnancy, encompassing all labor management, delivery, and postpartum care.
• Confirm the patient’s attempt at VBAC and failure in the documentation.
• Coordinate with other providers to avoid duplicate billing for surgical or postpartum services.
• Apply payer-specific modifiers if other procedures occur during delivery.

Maximize Revenue and Accuracy of OBGYN Medical Billing with BillingFreedom

Handling a failed VBAC and repeat cesarean requires precise coding and documentation. With our OBGYN medical billing services, BillingFreedom helps practices:

• Achieve 15–20% higher claim accuracy by ensuring proper coding and operative note abstraction.
• Reduce accounts receivable days by 20–25% to prevent common payer delays and ensure timely payments.
• Cut denial rates by up to 30% through payer-specific edit checks.
• Boost first-pass acceptance to 97–99% for complex VBAC-to-cesarean claims.

At BillingFreedom, we manage code assignment, payer alignment, modifier strategy, and documentation reviews, allowing your team to focus on patient care while revenue remains secure.