ICD-10 Guide

Z37.59

Other multiple births, all liveborn

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/12/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 Z37.59 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other multiple births, all liveborn.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Z37.59 is used to classify cases of multiple births where all infants are liveborn but do not fit into the more specific categories of twins or triplets. This code is essential for capturing the health status of mothers and infants in multiple birth scenarios, which can significantly influence healthcare needs and outcomes. Factors influencing health status include maternal age, socioeconomic status, access to prenatal care, and the presence of social determinants such as housing stability and education level. Preventive care for mothers of multiple births often includes enhanced prenatal screenings and nutritional counseling, while aftercare may involve monitoring for complications such as preterm labor or gestational diabetes. Understanding these factors is crucial for healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care and for coders to accurately reflect the complexity of these cases in medical records.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

Variability in documentation of multiple births
Need for detailed maternal health history
Potential for complications requiring additional coding
Differentiation from other Z codes related to births

Audit Risk Factors

Inadequate documentation of maternal health history
Failure to capture all liveborn infants in records
Misclassification of birth types
Lack of clarity in the reason for multiple births

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive prenatal care documentation, including maternal health assessments and screenings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Routine checkups during pregnancy, screenings for gestational diabetes, and postpartum follow-ups.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of social determinants such as access to care, education, and support systems.

Public Health

Documentation Requirements

Data collection for population health studies, including maternal and infant health outcomes.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Epidemiological studies on multiple births and their health impacts, community health initiatives.

Billing Considerations

Focus on tracking health disparities and access to care for mothers of multiple births.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use Z37.59 When

Z codes should be used to indicate factors influencing health status and contact with health services
When coding Z37
59, it should be sequenced appropriately based on the primary diagnosis related to the pregnancy or delivery
Payer requirements may vary, so it is essential to verify specific guidelines for each insurance provider

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use Z37.59 When

No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99406CPT Code

Smoking cessation counseling, intermediate

Clinical Scenario

Used in conjunction with Z37.59 for mothers who smoke and are pregnant with multiples.

Documentation Requirements

Document counseling sessions and smoking status.

Specialty Considerations

Important for primary care providers to address smoking cessation in high-risk pregnancies.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding multiple births, enhancing the ability to capture the complexities of maternal and infant health.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding multiple births, enhancing the ability to capture the complexities of maternal and infant health.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding multiple births, enhancing the ability to capture the complexities of maternal and infant health.

Resources

Clinical References

•
CDC Guidelines on Multiple Births

Coding & Billing References

•
CDC Guidelines on Multiple Births

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for Z37.59?

Documentation must include the number of liveborn infants, maternal health history, and any complications during pregnancy or delivery. It is essential to capture all relevant details to support the use of this code.

ICD-10 Z37.59 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other multiple births, all liveborn.