Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 59620 refers to a specific type of cesarean delivery that occurs after an attempted vaginal delivery in a patient with a history of a previous cesarean section. This procedure is commonly known as a cesarean delivery following a failed trial of labor or a failed vaginal birth after cesarean (failed VBAC). The process begins with routine obstetric care, which encompasses both antepartum and postpartum care. During the antepartum phase, the physician conducts a thorough maternal history and evaluates the health status of both the mother and fetus. This includes regular prenatal office visits, which are scheduled monthly for the first 28 weeks of gestation, biweekly visits until 36 weeks, and weekly visits thereafter. When the trial of labor does not result in a successful vaginal delivery, the patient is then prepared for a cesarean delivery. The physician administers an epidural or other form of anesthesia before making an incision in the abdomen. The uterus is then incised, and the amniotic fluid is suctioned out. Due to the attempted vaginal delivery, the baby's head is typically engaged in the pelvis, necessitating the physician to disengage the head before delivering it through the uterine incision. After the head is delivered, the physician clears the baby's airways by suctioning. The baby is subsequently removed from the uterus, while the physician checks for any complications such as umbilical cord entanglement. Once the baby is delivered, it is shown to the parents and placed in a warmer for examination and care by other medical staff. Following the delivery, the placenta is removed and examined, and the uterine incision is closed. The abdominal incision is also closed in layers. Post-delivery, the physician continues to provide care for the patient during her hospital stay and offers follow-up care after the cesarean delivery.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 59620 is indicated for patients who have previously undergone a cesarean delivery and are attempting a vaginal delivery but are unable to achieve a successful outcome. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 59620 involves several critical steps that ensure the safe delivery of the baby following a failed attempt at vaginal delivery. The following procedural steps are outlined:
After the cesarean delivery, the patient is monitored in the hospital for any complications that may arise from the surgery. The physician provides post-operative care, which includes pain management, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical incisions. Follow-up office visits are scheduled to assess the patient's recovery and address any concerns. The physician also provides guidance on postpartum care, including physical activity restrictions and emotional support as the patient adjusts to motherhood.
| Short Descr | ATTEMPTED VBAC DELIVERY ONLY | Medium Descr | CESAREAN DELIVERY ATTEMPTED VBAC | Long Descr | Cesarean delivery only, following attempted vaginal delivery after previous cesarean delivery; | 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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 | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | 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) |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1996-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1996. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.