2025 ICD-10-CM code O36.83
Maternal care for abnormalities of the fetal heart rate or rhythm.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a documented fetal heart rate abnormality that poses a risk to the fetus or requires maternal intervention.The documentation should clearly link the abnormality to the need for maternal care.
The physician is responsible for monitoring the fetal heart rate and rhythm and providing appropriate maternal care based on the findings.This may involve further investigations, consultations with specialists, and interventions to ensure fetal and maternal well-being.
In simple words: This code indicates that the pregnant mother is receiving care because the baby's heartbeat is abnormal.
This code is used for maternal care due to abnormalities in the fetal heart rate or rhythm. This includes conditions like fetal bradycardia, tachycardia, irregular rhythm, abnormal variability, decelerations, and non-reassuring fetal heart rate or rhythm. These conditions are the reason for the mother's hospitalization or obstetric care.
Example 1: A pregnant woman in her third trimester presents with fetal bradycardia.The physician orders continuous fetal monitoring and provides supportive care to the mother., A routine prenatal ultrasound reveals fetal tachycardia.The mother is admitted for observation and further evaluation to determine the underlying cause., During labor, the fetal heart rate shows decelerations. The physician implements appropriate interventions to address the fetal distress.
Documentation should include the specific type of fetal heart rate abnormality (e.g., bradycardia, tachycardia, decelerations), the frequency and duration of the abnormality, any associated symptoms in the mother or fetus, and the interventions provided. Results of fetal monitoring strips or ultrasound findings should also be included.
** This code excludes supervision of normal pregnancy (Z34.-) and mental and behavioral disorders associated with the puerperium (F53.-). This code also excludes labor and delivery complicated by fetal stress, as this is coded separately.
- Specialties:Obstetrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Birthing Center, Office