Healthcare Insights
Top 10 postpartum procedures by percentage of total procedures
The term “postpartum” describes the period following childbirth. Usually, postpartum procedures are performed by an OB/GYN. An OB/GYN is a type of physician that practices obstetrics and gynecology. These physicians provide prenatal care and oversee the labor and delivery process as well as care during the immediate postpartum period.
There are four types of childbirth methods, including vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery (with the use of vacuum or forceps), cesarean birth (c-section), and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Regardless of the delivery method, patients who have delivered a baby typically need several procedures performed after childbirth to ensure they have a healthy and normal recovery. For more information about the top OB/GYN procedures, read this Healthcare Insight.
Using data from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims product, we’ve ranked the top 10 postpartum procedures based on relative share of total procedures in 2022.
| Rank | CPT code | Description | % of procedures | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59430 | POSTPARTUM CARE ONLY | 16% | Explore |
| 2 | 0503F | POSTPARTUM CARE VISIT | 10% | Explore |
| 3 | 99213 | OFFICE OR OTHER OUTPATIENT VISIT FOR THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF AN ESTABLISHED PATIENT | 7% | Explore |
| 4 | T1015 | CLINIC VISIT/ENCOUNTER, ALL-INCLUSIVE | 3% | Explore |
| 5 | 81025 | URINE PREGNANCY TEST | 3% | Explore |
| 6 | 99231 | SUBSEQUENT HOSPITAL INPATIENT OR OBSERVATION CARE, PER DAY | 3% | Explore |
| 7 | 96127 | BRIEF EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT | 2% | Explore |
| 8 | 85018 | BLOOD COUNT; HEMOGLOBIN (HGB) | 2% | Explore |
| 9 | 99238 | HOSPITAL INPATIENT OR OBSERVATION DISCHARGE DAY MANAGEMENT | 2% | Explore |
| 10 | 88175 | CYTOPATHOLOGY, CERVICAL OR VAGINAL | 2% | Explore |
Fig. 1 Data is from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims product for calendar year 2022. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and is updated monthly. Data accessed February 2023.
What are the most common postpartum procedures?
The top procedure code on our list is 59430—Postpartum care only, with 16% of all postpartum procedures. The code 59430 for postpartum care notes that postpartum care begins after the patient is discharged from the hospital stay for delivery and extends throughout the postpartum period (56 days for vaginal delivery and 90 days for cesarean delivery).
In second is 0503F—Postpartum care visit, with 10% of total procedures, followed by 99213— Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management of an established patient, with 7%. While all are unique CPT codes, they each relate to checkups of the patient within six weeks of delivery with uncomplicated recovery.
How long does it typically take to recover after giving birth?
The typical recovery timeframe post childbirth will vary depending on the type of delivery. For vaginal and cesarean births, the standard recovery timeframe is about six weeks, but each person’s experience will be different.
The Cleveland Clinic has compiled a robust timeline of what to expect while healing after a vaginal birth, outlining symptoms at various stages throughout postpartum recovery. For patients who have delivered via cesarean, Cleveland Clinic has created an equally robust timeline for recovering after a c-section.
Learn more
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