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Official Description

Routine obstetric care including antepartum care, cesarean delivery, and postpartum care

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Routine obstetric care encompasses a comprehensive approach to managing a pregnancy, which includes antepartum care, the actual cesarean delivery, and postpartum care. This process begins with the physician conducting an initial maternal history and evaluating the health status of both the mother and fetus. Throughout the pregnancy, the physician provides routine prenatal office visits, which are scheduled monthly during the first 28 weeks of gestation, biweekly visits from 28 to 36 weeks, and weekly visits thereafter until delivery. The cesarean delivery itself can be either a planned procedure, conducted before labor begins, or an emergency intervention necessitated by complications that arise during labor, affecting either the mother or the fetus. During the cesarean delivery, an anesthetic, such as an epidural, is administered to ensure the mother’s comfort. The procedure involves making an incision in the abdomen, followed by an incision in the uterus to access the amniotic fluid, which is then suctioned out. If the baby's head is engaged in the pelvis, the physician will first disengage it before delivering the head through the uterine incision and clearing the baby's airways. The entire baby is then removed from the uterus, while the physician checks for any complications, such as umbilical cord entanglement. After the delivery, the baby is shown to the parents and placed in a warmer for examination by other medical staff. The placenta is also removed and examined by the physician. Following the delivery, the uterine incision is closed, and the abdominal incision is closed in layers. The physician continues to provide care for the patient during her hospital stay and offers follow-up care after the cesarean delivery. The use of CPT® Code 59510 is appropriate when all components of routine obstetric care, including antepartum care, cesarean delivery, and postpartum care, are provided. In contrast, CPT® Code 59514 should be used when only the cesarean delivery is performed, and CPT® Code 59515 is applicable when both the cesarean delivery and postpartum care are provided.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Planned Cesarean Delivery - This may be scheduled prior to the onset of labor for various medical reasons.
  • Maternal Complications - Conditions affecting the mother's health that necessitate a cesarean delivery.
  • Fetal Complications - Situations where the fetus is in distress or has conditions that require immediate delivery.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the safety and health of both the mother and the baby:

  • Initial Maternal History and Evaluation - The physician begins by taking a comprehensive maternal history and assessing the health status of both the mother and fetus. This evaluation is crucial for identifying any potential risks or complications that may arise during the pregnancy.
  • Routine Prenatal Visits - The physician schedules regular office visits throughout the pregnancy, which include monthly visits for the first 28 weeks, biweekly visits from 28 to 36 weeks, and weekly visits thereafter. These visits are essential for monitoring the health of the mother and fetus, providing necessary screenings, and addressing any concerns.
  • Administration of Anesthetic - Prior to the cesarean delivery, an anesthetic, such as an epidural, is administered to ensure the mother is comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
  • Incision and Delivery - The physician makes an incision in the abdomen, followed by an incision in the uterus. Amniotic fluid is then suctioned out. If the baby's head is engaged in the pelvis, the physician carefully disengages it before delivering the head through the uterine incision. The baby's airways are suctioned to clear any obstructions.
  • Complete Delivery of the Baby - The physician continues to remove the baby from the uterus while checking for any complications, such as umbilical cord entanglement. Once delivered, the baby is shown to the parents and placed in a warmer for further examination by medical staff.
  • Placenta Removal and Examination - After the baby is delivered, the placenta is removed from the uterus and examined by the physician to ensure that it is intact and there are no complications.
  • Closure of Incisions - The physician closes the uterine incision and then closes the abdominal incision in layers to promote proper healing.
  • Post-Operative Care - The physician provides care for the patient during her hospital stay and schedules follow-up visits to monitor recovery and address any post-operative concerns.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care includes monitoring the mother for any complications related to the cesarean delivery, such as infection or excessive bleeding. The physician will provide instructions for recovery, which may include pain management, activity restrictions, and signs of potential complications to watch for. Follow-up visits are essential to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns the mother may have regarding her recovery and the care of her newborn.

Short Descr CESAREAN DELIVERY
Medium Descr OB ANTEPARTUM CARE CESAREAN DLVR & POSTPARTUM
Long Descr Routine obstetric care including antepartum care, cesarean delivery, and postpartum care
Status Code Active Code
Global Days MMM - Maternity Code
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Code Not Recognized by OPPS when submitted on Outpatient Hospital Part B Bill Type (12x/13x)
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 134 - Cesarean section

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

59525 Maternity Edit Female Edit Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Subtotal or total hysterectomy after cesarean delivery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
U9 Medicaid level of care 9, as defined by each state
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
U7 Medicaid level of care 7, as defined by each state
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AG Primary physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GB Claim being re-submitted for payment because it is no longer covered under a global payment demonstration
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
TG Complex/high tech level of care
U1 Medicaid level of care 1, as defined by each state
U2 Medicaid level of care 2, as defined by each state
UB Medicaid level of care 11, as defined by each state
UC Medicaid level of care 12, as defined by each state
UD Medicaid level of care 13, as defined by each state
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
1990-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1990.
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