Billing Elelctive and Nonelective Abortions

Article Overview

This article covers billing and coding issues for elective and non-elective abortions, with emphasis on how coverage may depend on the diagnosis information supporting the claim. It discusses the limitations of CPT and ICD-9 abortion coding for distinguishing therapeutic from elective procedures, and it explains the general need to document the underlying medical condition in situations involving medically necessary terminations of pregnancy. The article is relevant to coders, billers, and clinicians who work with reproductive health claims, diagnosis reporting, and payer policy differences.