by Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS
Mar 3rd, 2017
If a mother uses alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, be sure to assign O99.31 "Alcohol use complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium."
Document the time of the encounter (such as the trimester), during childbirth, or during the puerperium.
NOTE: You also need to assign a secondary code from category F10- to identify manifestation of the alcohol use.
The following are some examples:
- Alcohol use complicating pregnancy:
- O99.314 Alcohol use complicating childbirth
- O99.315 Alcohol use complicating the puerperium
References/Resources
About Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS
Christine Woolstenhulme, CPC, QCC, CMCS, CMRS, is a Certified coder and Medical Biller currently employed with Find-A-Code. Bringing over 30 years of insight, business knowledge, and innovation to the healthcare industry. Establishing a successful Medical Billing Company from 1994 to 2015, during this time, Christine has had the opportunity to learn all aspects of revenue cycle management while working with independent practitioners and in clinic settings. Christine was a VAR for AltaPoint EHR software sales, along with management positions and medical practice consulting. Understanding the complete patient engagement cycle and developing efficient processes to coordinate teams ensuring best practice standards in healthcare. Working with payers on coding and interpreting ACA policies according to state benchmarks and insurance filings and implementing company procedures and policies to coordinate teams and payer benefits.