Overview
CPT 99459 is an add-on code used to report a pelvic exam performed alongside an Evaluation & Management (E/M) visit. It captures practice expenses such as staff time (typically around 4 minutes) and supplies like speculums, not the clinician's work. This code must be billed in conjunction with a valid E/M code such as 99202–99215, preventive care codes, or consultation codes. It cannot be used alone.
Purpose
CPT 99459 acknowledges the additional resources required for pelvic exams, especially in women's health settings. It ensures fair reimbursement for supplies and clinical staff, enhancing revenue integrity without overcounting provider effort.
Clinical Scenarios for CPT 99459
- Annual well-woman exams that include a pelvic exam alongside preventive E/M codes
- Problem-focused visits for symptoms such as pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding, where a pelvic exam is essential
- Consultation visits, such as new OB/GYN evaluations, where a pelvic examination is performed
Documentation Requirements
- Indicate the medical necessity of the pelvic exam
- Detail the exam components, such as the use of a speculum, specimen collection, and external or internal assessment.
- Note the presence of a chaperone or whether one was offered and declined for documentation completeness.
Billing and Reimbursement Tips
- Always bill 99459 with an eligible E/M code and never alone
- Check payer policies because while most reimburse, some, like Cigna, now deny 99459 with standard office E/M codes unless used with preventive E/M codes
- Verify per-payer reimbursement guidelines since many are payer-specific and may require prior authorization or internal policy review
- Bill 99459 only once per patient per day, even if multiple exams occur during that encounter
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Related ICD-10-CM Codes
ICD-10-CM Codes
A06.82 - Other amebic genitourinary infections
A18.10 - Tuberculosis of genitourinary system, unspecified
A18.17 - Tuberculous female pelvic inflammatory disease
A51.42 - Secondary syphilitic female pelvic disease
A52.76 - Other genitourinary symptomatic late syphilis
A54.00 - Gonococcal infection of lower genitourinary tract, unspecified
A54.09 - Other gonococcal infection of lower genitourinary tract
A54.1 - Gonococcal infection of lower genitourinary tract with periurethral and accessory gland abscess
A54.24 - Gonococcal female pelvic inflammatory disease
A54.29 - Other gonococcal genitourinary infections
A56.00 - Chlamydial infection of lower genitourinary tract, unspecified
A56.09 - Other chlamydial infection of lower genitourinary tract
A56.11 - Chlamydial female pelvic inflammatory disease
A56.19 - Other chlamydial genitourinary infection
A56.2 - Chlamydial infection of genitourinary tract, unspecified
B87.81 - Genitourinary myiasis
B90.1 - Sequelae of genitourinary tuberculosis
B97.7 - Papillomavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
C41.4 - Malignant neoplasm of pelvic bones, sacrum and coccyx
C53.0 - Malignant neoplasm of endocervix
C53.1 - Malignant neoplasm of exocervix
C53.8 - Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of cervix uteri
C54.3 - Malignant neoplasm of fundus uteri
C54.8 - Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of corpus uteri
C54.9 - Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri, unspecified
C55 - Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified
C77.5 - Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.06 - Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.16 - Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.26 - Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.36 - Lymphocyte depleted Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.46 - Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.76 - Other Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C81.96 - Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.06 - Follicular lymphoma grade I, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.16 - Follicular lymphoma grade II, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.26 - Follicular lymphoma grade III, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.36 - Follicular lymphoma grade IIIa, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.46 - Follicular lymphoma grade IIIb, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.56 - Diffuse follicle center lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.66 - Cutaneous follicle center lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.86 - Other types of follicular lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C82.96 - Follicular lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.06 - Small cell B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.16 - Mantle cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.36 - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.56 - Lymphoblastic (diffuse) lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.76 - Burkitt lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.86 - Other non-follicular lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C83.96 - Non-follicular (diffuse) lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.06 - Mycosis fungoides, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.16 - Sezary disease, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.46 - Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not elsewhere classified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.66 - Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.76 - Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-negative, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.96 - Mature T/NK-cell lymphomas, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.A6 - Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C84.Z6 - Other mature T/NK-cell lymphomas, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C85.16 - Unspecified B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C85.26 - Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C85.86 - Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
C85.96 - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
D07.39 - Carcinoma in situ of other female genital organs
D16.8 - Benign neoplasm of pelvic bones, sacrum and coccyx
D17.72 - Benign lipomatous neoplasm of other genitourinary organ
D25.0 - Submucous leiomyoma of uterus
D25.1 - Intramural leiomyoma of uterus
D25.2 - Subserosal leiomyoma of uterus
D25.9 - Leiomyoma of uterus, unspecified
D26.7 - Other benign neoplasm of other parts of uterus
D26.9 - Other benign neoplasm of uterus, unspecified
D39.0 - Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of uterus
D48.116 - Desmoid tumor of lower extremity and pelvic girdle
D49.59 - Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of other genitourinary organ
I86.2 - Pelvic varices
N13.0 - Hydronephrosis with ureteropelvic junction obstruction
N71.0 - Acute inflammatory disease of uterus
N71.1 - Chronic inflammatory disease of uterus
N71.9 - Inflammatory disease of uterus, unspecified
N73.0 - Acute parametritis and pelvic cellulitis
N73.1 - Chronic parametritis and pelvic cellulitis
N73.2 - Unspecified parametritis and pelvic cellulitis
N73.3 - Female acute pelvic peritonitis
N73.4 - Female chronic pelvic peritonitis
N73.5 - Female pelvic peritonitis, unspecified
N73.6 - Female pelvic peritoneal adhesions (postinfective)
N73.8 - Other specified female pelvic inflammatory diseases
N73.9 - Female pelvic inflammatory disease, unspecified
N74 - Female pelvic inflammatory disorders in diseases classified elsewhere
N76.0 - Acute vaginitis
N76.1 - Subacute and chronic vaginitis
N76.2 - Acute vulvitis
N76.3 - Subacute and chronic vulvitis
N80.00 - Endometriosis of the uterus, unspecified
N80.01 - Superficial endometriosis of the uterus
N80.02 - Deep endometriosis of the uterus
N80.03 - Adenomyosis of the uterus
N80.30 - Endometriosis of pelvic peritoneum, unspecified
N80.331 - Superficial endometriosis of the right pelvic sidewall
N80.332 - Superficial endometriosis of the left pelvic sidewall
N80.333 - Superficial endometriosis of bilateral pelvic sidewall
N80.339 - Superficial endometriosis of pelvic sidewall, unspecified side
N80.341 - Deep endometriosis of the right pelvic sidewall
N80.342 - Deep endometriosis of the left pelvic sidewall
N80.343 - Deep endometriosis of the bilateral pelvic sidewall
N80.349 - Deep endometriosis of the pelvic sidewall, unspecified side
N80.351 - Endometriosis of the right pelvic sidewall, unspecified depth
N80.352 - Endometriosis of the left pelvic sidewall, unspecified depth
N80.353 - Endometriosis of bilateral pelvic sidewall, unspecified depth
N80.359 - Endometriosis of pelvic sidewall, unspecified side, unspecified depth
N80.361 - Superficial endometriosis of the right pelvic brim
N80.362 - Superficial endometriosis of the left pelvic brim
N80.363 - Superficial endometriosis of bilateral pelvic brim
N80.369 - Superficial endometriosis of the pelvic brim, unspecified side
N80.371 - Deep endometriosis of the right pelvic brim
N80.372 - Deep endometriosis of the left pelvic brim
N80.373 - Deep endometriosis of bilateral pelvic brim
N80.379 - Deep endometriosis of the pelvic brim, unspecified side
N80.381 - Endometriosis of the right pelvic brim, unspecified depth
N80.382 - Endometriosis of the left pelvic brim, unspecified depth
N80.383 - Endometriosis of bilateral pelvic brim, unspecified depth
N80.389 - Endometriosis of the pelvic brim, unspecified side, unspecified depth
N80.391 - Superficial endometriosis of the pelvic peritoneum, other specified sites
N80.392 - Deep endometriosis of the pelvic peritoneum, other specified sites
N80.399 - Endometriosis of the pelvic peritoneum, other specified sites, unspecified depth
N80.C4 - Endometriosis of extra-pelvic abdominal peritoneum
N80.D0 - Endometriosis of the pelvic nerves, unspecified
N80.D9 - Endometriosis of other pelvic nerve
N81.10 - Cystocele, unspecified
N81.11 - Cystocele, midline
N81.6 - Rectocele
N81.84 - Pelvic muscle wasting
N82.2 - Fistula of vagina to small intestine
N82.3 - Fistula of vagina to large intestine
N82.4 - Other female intestinal-genital tract fistulae
N85.2 - Hypertrophy of uterus
N85.3 - Subinvolution of uterus
N85.4 - Malposition of uterus
N85.5 - Inversion of uterus
N85.8 - Other specified noninflammatory disorders of uterus
N85.9 - Noninflammatory disorder of uterus, unspecified
N86 - Erosion and ectropion of cervix uteri
N89.7 - Hematocolpos
N89.8 - Other specified noninflammatory disorders of vagina
N91.0 - Primary amenorrhea
N91.1 - Secondary amenorrhea
N91.2 - Amenorrhea, unspecified
N92.0 - Excessive and frequent menstruation with regular cycle
N92.4 - Excessive bleeding in the premenopausal period
N92.5 - Other specified irregular menstruation
N93.8 - Other specified abnormal uterine and vaginal bleeding
N94.89 - Other specified conditions associated with female genital organs and menstrual cycle
N95.0 - Postmenopausal bleeding
N95.1 - Menopausal and female climacteric states
N95.2 - Postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis
N99.4 - Postprocedural pelvic peritoneal adhesions
N99.61 - Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a genitourinary system organ or structure complicating a genitourinary system procedure
N99.62 - Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a genitourinary system organ or structure complicating other procedure
N99.71 - Accidental puncture and laceration of a genitourinary system organ or structure during a genitourinary system procedure
N99.72 - Accidental puncture and laceration of a genitourinary system organ or structure during other procedure
N99.81 - Other intraoperative complications of genitourinary system
N99.820 - Postprocedural hemorrhage of a genitourinary system organ or structure following a genitourinary system procedure
N99.821 - Postprocedural hemorrhage of a genitourinary system organ or structure following other procedure
N99.840 - Postprocedural hematoma of a genitourinary system organ or structure following a genitourinary system procedure
N99.841 - Postprocedural hematoma of a genitourinary system organ or structure following other procedure
N99.842 - Postprocedural seroma of a genitourinary system organ or structure following a genitourinary system procedure
N99.843 - Postprocedural seroma of a genitourinary system organ or structure following other procedure
N99.89 - Other postprocedural complications and disorders of genitourinary system
O03.0 - Genital tract and pelvic infection following incomplete spontaneous abortion
O03.34 - Damage to pelvic organs following incomplete spontaneous abortion
O03.5 - Genital tract and pelvic infection following complete or unspecified spontaneous abortion
O03.84 - Damage to pelvic organs following complete or unspecified spontaneous abortion
O04.5 - Genital tract and pelvic infection following (induced) termination of pregnancy
O04.84 - Damage to pelvic organs following (induced) termination of pregnancy
O07.0 - Genital tract and pelvic infection following failed attempted termination of pregnancy
O07.34 - Damage to pelvic organs following failed attempted termination of pregnancy
O08.0 - Genital tract and pelvic infection following ectopic and molar pregnancy
O08.6 - Damage to pelvic organs and tissues following an ectopic and molar pregnancy
O23.90 - Unspecified genitourinary tract infection in pregnancy, unspecified trimester
O23.91 - Unspecified genitourinary tract infection in pregnancy, first trimester
O23.92 - Unspecified genitourinary tract infection in pregnancy, second trimester
O23.93 - Unspecified genitourinary tract infection in pregnancy, third trimester
O33.0 - Maternal care for disproportion due to deformity of maternal pelvic bones
O34.00 - Maternal care for unspecified congenital malformation of uterus, unspecified trimester
O34.01 - Maternal care for unspecified congenital malformation of uterus, first trimester
O34.02 - Maternal care for unspecified congenital malformation of uterus, second trimester
O34.03 - Maternal care for unspecified congenital malformation of uterus, third trimester
O34.511 - Maternal care for incarceration of gravid uterus, first trimester
O34.512 - Maternal care for incarceration of gravid uterus, second trimester
O34.513 - Maternal care for incarceration of gravid uterus, third trimester
O34.519 - Maternal care for incarceration of gravid uterus, unspecified trimester
O34.521 - Maternal care for prolapse of gravid uterus, first trimester
O34.522 - Maternal care for prolapse of gravid uterus, second trimester
O34.523 - Maternal care for prolapse of gravid uterus, third trimester
O34.529 - Maternal care for prolapse of gravid uterus, unspecified trimester
O34.531 - Maternal care for retroversion of gravid uterus, first trimester
O34.532 - Maternal care for retroversion of gravid uterus, second trimester
O34.533 - Maternal care for retroversion of gravid uterus, third trimester
O34.539 - Maternal care for retroversion of gravid uterus, unspecified trimester
O34.591 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of gravid uterus, first trimester
O34.592 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of gravid uterus, second trimester
O34.593 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of gravid uterus, third trimester
O34.599 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of gravid uterus, unspecified trimester
O34.80 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of pelvic organs, unspecified trimester
O34.81 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of pelvic organs, first trimester
O34.82 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of pelvic organs, second trimester
O34.83 - Maternal care for other abnormalities of pelvic organs, third trimester
O34.90 - Maternal care for abnormality of pelvic organ, unspecified, unspecified trimester
O34.91 - Maternal care for abnormality of pelvic organ, unspecified, first trimester
O34.92 - Maternal care for abnormality of pelvic organ, unspecified, second trimester
O34.93 - Maternal care for abnormality of pelvic organ, unspecified, third trimester
O35.EXX0 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, not applicable or unspecified
O35.EXX1 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, fetus 1
O35.EXX2 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, fetus 2
O35.EXX3 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, fetus 3
O35.EXX4 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, fetus 4
O35.EXX5 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, fetus 5
O35.EXX9 - Maternal care for other (suspected) fetal abnormality and damage, fetal genitourinary anomalies, other fetus
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
O71.00 - Rupture of uterus before onset of labor, unspecified trimester
O71.02 - Rupture of uterus before onset of labor, second trimester
O71.03 - Rupture of uterus before onset of labor, third trimester
O71.1 - Rupture of uterus during labor
O71.2 - Postpartum inversion of uterus
O71.5 - Other obstetric injury to pelvic organs
O71.6 - Obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments
O71.81 - Laceration of uterus, not elsewhere classified
Q51.0 - Agenesis and aplasia of uterus
Q51.10 - Doubling of uterus with doubling of cervix and vagina without obstruction
Q51.11 - Doubling of uterus with doubling of cervix and vagina with obstruction
Q51.21 - Complete doubling of uterus
Q51.22 - Partial doubling of uterus
Q51.28 - Other and unspecified doubling of uterus
Q51.3 - Bicornate uterus
Q51.4 - Unicornate uterus
Q51.7 - Congenital fistulae between uterus and digestive and urinary tracts
Q51.810 - Arcuate uterus
Q51.811 - Hypoplasia of uterus
Q51.818 - Other congenital malformations of uterus
Q51.9 - Congenital malformation of uterus and cervix, unspecified
Q62.11 - Congenital occlusion of ureteropelvic junction
Q74.2 - Other congenital malformations of lower limb(s), including pelvic girdle
R10.2 - Pelvic and perineal pain
R19.00 - Intra-abdominal and pelvic swelling, mass and lump, unspecified site
R19.07 - Generalized intra-abdominal and pelvic swelling, mass and lump
R19.09 - Other intra-abdominal and pelvic swelling, mass and lump
R39.89 - Other symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
R39.9 - Unspecified symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
R87.611 - Atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of cervix (ASC-H)
R87.612 - Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of cervix (LGSIL)
R87.613 - High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of cervix (HGSIL)
R87.615 - Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix
R87.616 - Satisfactory cervical smear but lacking transformation zone
R87.620 - Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on cytologic smear of vagina (ASC-US)
R87.621 - Atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of vagina (ASC-H)
R87.622 - Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of vagina (LGSIL)
R87.623 - High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of vagina (HGSIL)
R87.624 - Cytologic evidence of malignancy on smear of vagina
R87.810 - Cervical high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive
R87.811 - Vaginal high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive
Z00.00 - Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
Z01.411 - Encounter for gynecological examination (general) (routine) with abnormal findings
Z01.419 - Encounter for gynecological examination (general) (routine) without abnormal findings
Z01.42 - Encounter for cervical smear to confirm findings of recent normal smear following initial abnormal smear
Z05.6 - Observation and evaluation of newborn for suspected genitourinary condition ruled out
Z12.4 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix
Z12.6 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of bladder
Z12.72 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of vagina
Z12.73 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of ovary
Z12.79 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of other genitourinary organs
Z48.816 - Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the genitourinary system
Z84.2 - Family history of other diseases of the genitourinary system
Z85.42 - Personal history of malignant neoplasm of other parts of uterus
Z87.718 - Personal history of other specified (corrected) congenital malformations of genitourinary system
Related CPT Codes
CPT Codes
59430 - Postpartum Care Only (Separate Procedure)
59425 - Vaginal Delivery with Postpartum Care
59400 - Routine Obstetric Care. Vaginal Delivery, Antepartum and Postpartum Care Procedures
59150 - Laparoscopic Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy
59030 - Fetal Scalp Blood Sampling
59610 - Routine Obstetric Care, Vaginal Delivery After Previous Cesarean (VBAC)
59620 - Cesarean Delivery Only After Attempted VBAC (Delivery-Only Global)