AMA CPT® Assistant - 2003 Issue 3 (March)
OB Ultrasound Codes (March 2003)
March 2003 pages 7-8 Coding Communication:OB Ultrasound Codes Obstetrical ultrasound is the use of ultrasound scans in pregnancy. It is a safe, non-invasive imaging examination that plays a very important role for a healthy pregnancy. Obstetrical ultrasound examinations help physicians determine gestation age as well as diagnose many fetal abnormalities during the course of pregnancy. In addition, they provide a good survey of visible fetal and placental anatomic structure. In recent years with advances in ultrasound technology, the practice of obstetrical ultrasound has changed significantly. These changes previously have not been fully reflected in CPT codes. Therefore, to keep...
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Article Overview
This article explains the March 2003 CPT update for obstetrical ultrasound reporting. It is useful for coders, billers, and clinical documentation staff who work with pregnancy-related imaging and need to understand the scope of the revised obstetric ultrasound code family, the addition of new codes, and the documentation themes tied to those changes. The discussion is centered on how the code family was reorganized and what categories of obstetric ultrasound services are addressed.
Why This Topic Matters
OB ultrasound coding affects how pregnancy imaging services are reported and documented. This update matters because it reflects a major CPT 2003 revision to the obstetrical ultrasound code family and clarifies how the service categories were reorganized.
Article Sections
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March 2003 pages 7-8
Introductory coding communication content describing obstetrical ultrasound and the 2003 CPT revision context.
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New Codes
Discussion of newly added obstetrical ultrasound codes, including first-trimester and detailed fetal evaluation categories, along with documentation and reporting themes.
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Revised codes
Overview of revised obstetrical ultrasound codes for later pregnancy, limited examinations, and follow-up imaging, with emphasis on the update framework and reporting categories.
What You Will Learn
- How the March 2003 CPT update changed the obstetrical ultrasound code family
- Which obstetric ultrasound service categories were newly added or revised
- What general documentation themes were emphasized for obstetric ultrasound reporting
- How the article distinguishes transabdominal, transvaginal, limited, follow-up, and multi-gestation ultrasound categories
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Clinical documentation specialists
- OB/GYN practices
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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