| September 2004 · Vol. 16, No. 9 REIMBURSEMENT ADVISER
Abnormal quad screening: Which code is correct?MELANIE
WITT,
RN, CPC, MAMs. Witt, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is an independent coding and documentation consultant. Reimbursement Adviser reflects the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.
Q What diagnosis code would I use for an abnormal quad test?
A The quad test is an “enhanced prenatal screening test” for Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and neural tube defects that is performed between the 15th and 20th week of gestation. It measures 4 substances in the mother’s blood that come from the developing fetus and placenta: alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estriol, and inhibin-A (which is not included in the routine triple screen).
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