CPT® Code 88014

A necropsy, commonly referred to as an autopsy, is a thorough examination performed on deceased individuals to determine the cause of death or to study disease processes. Specifically, CPT® Code 88014 pertains to a necropsy that involves a gross examination only, focusing on stillborn infants or newborns who have died shortly after birth. This procedure is applicable to infants aged 1 to 12 months, newborns from birth to 1 month, and stillborns, which are defined as fetuses that have died in utero with a gestational age of 20 weeks or more. During the gross examination, a comprehensive external assessment is conducted, which may include taking full body and facial photographs when appropriate. The examination process may also involve radiographic imaging to detect any new or healing bone fractures, skeletal dysplasia, metaphysitis, and cerebral calcifications, as well as to evaluate bone maturation at ossification centers. Key measurements are taken, including the weight of the body and various dimensions such as crown to heel, crown to rump, head circumference, and foot length. The head undergoes a detailed examination for signs of abrasions, cephalohematoma, caput succedaneum, bulging fontanelles, and the condition of the sutures. Facial features and skin integrity are assessed, along with the shape of the chest and abdomen, noting any presence of crepitus, omphalocele, or gastroschisis. If the umbilical cord, placenta, and membranes are still attached, they are examined for conditions such as umbilical hypercoiling, knots, chorioamnionitis, and infarction. The genitalia are inspected to ascertain gender and the patency of the anus, vagina, and urethra. Additionally, the back and spine are evaluated for neural tube defects, pigmented lesions, and hair tufts. Following the external examination, internal organs are assessed using techniques similar to those outlined in CPT® Code 88000, with a particular focus on the brain as described in CPT® Code 88005. It is important to note that while CPT® Code 88012 covers gross examination of an infant with a brain, CPT® Code 88014 specifically addresses the same examination for stillborns or newborns with brain involvement. Furthermore, CPT® Code 88016 is designated for gross examination of a macerated stillborn, a condition characterized by significant decomposition and changes in the body that limit the necropsy findings, particularly regarding the brain.