2025 ICD-10-CM code O87.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Complications predominantly related to the puerperium - Venous complications and hemorrhoids in the puerperium Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A) Feed
Superficial thrombophlebitis occurring during the puerperium (the first 6-8 weeks after childbirth).
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the encounter and the treatment provided. Consult current coding guidelines for specific modifier applications.
Medical necessity for coding O87.0 is established by the presence of clinical symptoms and signs consistent with superficial thrombophlebitis, occurring during the puerperium.Documentation should justify the diagnosis and support the choice of treatment.
Obstetricians and gynecologists are primarily responsible for the diagnosis and management of superficial thrombophlebitis in the puerperium.Depending on the severity and complications, consultation with a vascular surgeon may be required.
- Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- O87 (Venous complications and hemorrhoids in the puerperium)
In simple words: This code means you have inflammation in a vein close to the skin's surface. This happened after you gave birth, within the first 6-8 weeks postpartum.Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back to your heart.
Superficial thrombophlebitis in the puerperium refers to inflammation of one or more superficial veins that occurs during the postpartum period (the first 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth).This condition is characterized by inflammation of the veins, typically presenting as pain, redness, and swelling along the affected vein. The inflammation is related to or aggravated by pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium.
Example 1: A 30-year-old woman presents six days postpartum with pain, redness, and swelling in her right leg.A physical examination reveals superficial thrombophlebitis in the superficial veins of her right lower extremity.No other complications are present., A 25-year-old woman, two weeks after a cesarean section, reports pain and tenderness along a superficial vein in her abdomen. Examination confirms superficial thrombophlebitis in an abdominal vein.She is managed conservatively., A 35-year-old woman, four weeks postpartum, develops superficial thrombophlebitis in her left arm.She also reports symptoms consistent with a mastitis. Further investigation is undertaken to exclude deeper infection or other complications.
Detailed documentation should include patient history (including pregnancy and delivery details), physical examination findings (location, size, and severity of inflammation), diagnostic tests (if any, such as ultrasound to confirm diagnosis and rule out deep vein thrombosis), and treatment plan (conservative management or anticoagulation if necessary).
** This code is specifically for superficial thrombophlebitis; deep vein thrombosis should be coded using O87.1.Always carefully document the clinical findings to support the assigned code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vascular Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office