MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR CATEGORIZING INDUCED TERMINATIONS OF PREGNANCY
Category
Descriptor
ICD‐9‐CM Codes
CTP Codes
Surgical Procedures for Pregnancy Termination
Dilation and
Surgical procedures performed prior to 14 weeks
69.01, 69.51,
59840
Curettage (D & C)
0 days gestation are called dilation and curettage
69.6, V25.3
(D & C) procedures.
Other terms for this type of procedure include:
aspiration curettage, suction curettage, manual
vacuum aspiration, or menstrual extraction. This
type of procedure may also be called sharp
curettage, if a sharp curette is used to confirm
complete evacuation of uterine contents. A very
early termination by D & C is sometimes called
menstrual regulation.
Dilation and
Surgical procedures performed after 14 weeks 0
69.01, 69.51, 69.6
59841
Evacuation (D & E)
days gestation are called dilation and evacuation
(D & E) procedures. This type of surgical
22 modifier for
procedure typically requires a greater degree of
increased
cervical dilation and the use of grasping forceps.
procedural services
Intact dilation and evacuation (D & X) is one type
of a D & E procedure. D & X procedures should
be included in the D & E category. D & X
procedures are sometimes called partial birth
abortions.
Hysterectomy/
Termination of pregnancy by removing the fetus
74.91
59857
Hysterotomy
through an incision in the uterus or by removing
59852
the uterus.
Intrauterine Instillation
Termination of pregnancy induced through intra‐
75.0
59850
amniotic injection (amniocentesis‐injection) of a
59851
substance such as saline, urea, or a prostaglandin.
NOTE: Prostaglandins are also used to aid in the
completion of surgical termination procedures as
well as medical inductions. Therefore the listing
of a prostaglandin by itself does not necessarily
indicate an intrauterine instillation was
performed.
Methods for Medically Inducing the Termination of Pregnancy
Early medical
Early medical terminations are typically
J3490, S0190,
performed on an outpatient basis. The protocol
S0191, S0199
for early medical terminations endorsed by the
American Congress of Obstetricians and
Other state‐specific
Gynecologists (ACOG) may be used up to 63 days
codes may exist
gestation. The FDA approved protocol may be
used up to 49 days gestation.
The medicines used for the ACOG endorsed and
FDA approved protocols include mifepristone
(also called RU486 or Mifeprix®) and misoprostol
(also called Cytotec®, which is a type of
prostaglandin).
Other options for early medical termination of
pregnancy include methotrexate (Amethopterin,
MTX) and misoprostol (Cytotec®). Each of these
medications can be used alone or in combination
with each other.
NOTE: The medicines used for early medical
terminations can also be used for medical
inductions, or to aid in the completion of a
surgical termination procedure. Therefore the
listing of one of these drugs by itself does not
necessarily indicate that an early medical
termination was performed.
Labor induction
Labor induction is the termination of pregnancy
by the stimulation of labor‐like contractions that
cause eventual expulsion of the fetus and
placenta from the uterine cavity.
A variety of medications may be used. Typically a
prostaglandin is used. Names for some common
prostaglandins include misoprostol (Cytotec®)
and dinoprostone (also known as Cervidil®,
prepidil, prostin E2, or dinoprostol).
Another potential medication is oxytocin
(Pitocin®).
96.49, 73.1
59855‐59857
Common Adjuvants to Surgical and Medical Termination of Pregnancy
DO NOT CHECK A SEPARATE BOX FOR THESE ITEMS
Methods to assist in
cervical dilation
Insertion of laminaria/synthetic hygroscopic sticks
69.93
A4649
Instrumental dilation of the cervical canal
57800, 59200
Prostaglandins are often used to aid in dilation of
the cervix. Names for some common
prostaglandins include misoprostol (Cytotec®)
and dinoprostone (also known as Cervidil®,
prepidil, prostin E2, or dinoprostol).
Medications to
ensure fetal demise
prior to pregnancy
termination
The most commonly used medications include
digoxin (Lanoxin®) and KCl.
These definitions are from the Technical Resource for ITOP Reporting produced by the CDC Division of Reproductive
Health.
