Medically Indicated Early-Term Deliveries (Prior to 39 Weeks) Coding Guidelines

The delivery indicator represents a combination of three elements: the labor type, the delivery method, and the number of deliveries associated with that method. Delivery methods consist of vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, and vaginal birth after cesarean. Labor can be categorized as spontaneous, induced, or absent. The number of deliveries associated with a delivery method is recorded as a numeric value (#), which may extend to two digits.

For electronic professional delivery claims, providers are required to report the delivery indicator in the line-level notes field (loop 2400).

Vaginal Delivery

• SLV## → Spontaneous Labor Vaginal Delivery, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).
   
• ILV## → Induced Labor Vaginal Delivery, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).

C-section Delivery

• SLC## → Spontaneous Labor C-section Delivery, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).
   
• ILC## → Induced Labor C-section Delivery, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).
   
• NLC## → No Labor C-section Delivery, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).

Vaginal Birth After C-section (VBAC)

• SLB## → Spontaneous Labor Vaginal Birth After C-section, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).
   
• ILB## → Induced Labor Vaginal Birth After C-section, with delivery number (#1, #2, #3, …).

Please note that the delivery count applies specifically to the delivery method used. The examples below illustrate this:

Patient A - First Pregnancy

• At 40 weeks of gestation (Z3A.40), Patient A goes into spontaneous labor and delivers vaginally. The professional delivery claim for this pregnancy would include the delivery indicator SLV1.

Patient A - Second Pregnancy

• At 39 weeks of gestation (Z3A.39), Patient A is admitted for induction due to pregnancy-induced hypertension. The delivery results in a C-section. The professional delivery claim in this case would carry the delivery indicator ILC1.

Patient A - Third Pregnancy

• At 39 weeks of gestation (Z3A.39), Patient A is admitted for an induction that results in a vaginal birth after a previous C-section. The professional delivery claim would reflect the delivery indicator ILB1.

Any professional or facility delivery claim submitted without the proper ICD-10 codes to document the delivery outcome, gestational age, and/or the applicable delivery and labor type will be denied. Additionally, medical record documentation may be requested to confirm gestational age, delivery outcome, delivery method, labor type, and any medically necessary maternal diagnoses relevant to claim adjudication.

Simplifying Delivery Indicator Billing with BillingFreedom

Accurate delivery indicator reporting is crucial for ensuring clean claims and expedited reimbursements. This involves documenting labor type, spontaneous, induced, or none, and correctly linking it with delivery methods such as vaginal, C-section, or VBAC. Every detail matters. Each delivery must be accurately coded, including the delivery number, to ensure compliance with payer requirements. Missing ICD-10 codes for gestational age, delivery outcome, or type of labor can lead to claim rejections or costly delays.

At BillingFreedom, we specialize in OBGYN medical billing-related complexities of professional delivery claims. Our expertise ensures that delivery indicators, such as SLV1, ILC1, or ILB1, are accurately applied at the line-level notes (loop 2400), thereby reducing denials and the need for additional documentation requests. With our team handling the nuances of obstetric billing, healthcare providers can focus on patient care, while we safeguard revenue integrity and streamline reimbursement.

For more details about our exceptional OBGYN 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!