Every year, we have a lot of changes in the coding guidelines. This year also we have a lot of changes in ICD 10 coding guidelines. The updated guidelines have introduced lot of new diagnosis codes. Today we will just look out the coding guidelines for Z3A ICD 10 codes used for coding weeks of gestation with pregnancy complication codes.

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Coding guidelines for Z3A category 

Z3A is code is limited to use as secondary diagnosis. Yes, the Z3A category is not allowed to be coded along with the abortion diagnosis codes i.e. (codes O00-O08).

The code range for use with Z3A, weeks of gestation, has changed from O00-O9A to O09-O9A. Now, the Z3A codes for weeks of gestation will be have to be used cautiosly by medical coders.

Read also: Complete list of  new CPT codes in 2020

Encounters for Obstetrical and Reproductive Services

See Section I.C.15. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium, for further instruction on the use of these codes.

Z codes for pregnancy are for use in those circumstances when none of the problems or complications included in the codes from the Obstetrics chapter exist (a routine prenatal visit or postpartum care). Codes in category Z34, Encounter for supervision of normal pregnancy, are always first-listed and are not to be used with any other code from the OB chapter.

Codes in category Z3A, Weeks of gestation, may be assigned to provide additional information about the pregnancy. Category Z3A codes should not be assigned for pregnancies with abortive outcomes (categories O00-O08), elective termination of pregnancy (code Z33.2), nor for postpartum conditions, as category Z3A is not applicable to these conditions. The date of the admission should be used to determine weeks of gestation for inpatient admissions that encompass more than one gestational week.