Summary & Overview
CPT 57180: Vaginal Hemostasis by Insertion of Hemostatic Agent or Pack
CPT code 57180 denotes the insertion of a hemostatic agent or placement of a gauze pack into the vagina to control bleeding when the hemorrhage is not related to pregnancy or childbirth. Nationally, this code captures an acute, often urgent gynecologic intervention used across emergency departments, hospital outpatient departments, and ambulatory procedural settings to achieve local hemostasis. Proper coding supports clinical documentation, claims adjudication, and tracking of gynecologic bleeding interventions.
Key payers reviewed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of payer coverage patterns, common modifiers used with the code, and clinical context for when the service is performed. The publication provides benchmarking and policy-relevant information such as reimbursement considerations, coding guidance nuances, and documentation elements that influence claims processing. It also highlights areas where national guidance or payer policies may affect utilization and payment. Data not available in the input will be identified explicitly where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 57180 describes the insertion of a hemostatic agent or placement of a gauze pack into the vagina to control non-pregnancy-related vaginal bleeding. This procedure is intended to achieve local hemostasis through topical agents or tamponade.
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Service type: Hemostatic control procedure for vaginal bleeding
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, emergency department, or ambulatory surgical/clinical setting where vaginal procedures are performed
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 48-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with acute vaginal bleeding not related to pregnancy or recent childbirth. She reports sudden onset of moderate-to-heavy bleeding with lightheadedness. Vital signs are assessed, a focused pelvic exam is performed, and point-of-care hemoglobin is obtained. After visualization identifies a bleeding source amenable to topical control, the provider performs placement of a vaginal gauze pack and/or inserts a topical hemostatic agent to tamponade bleeding and promote clot formation. The procedure is typically performed in an ambulatory clinic, emergency department, or outpatient gynecology procedure room under local anesthesia or topical analgesia. The clinical workflow includes consent, hemostasis procedure, observation for recurrent bleeding, instruction for pack removal or follow-up, documentation of the bleeding source and hemostatic material used, and scheduling follow-up gynecologic evaluation or removal of packing within a specified timeframe.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (unmodified service) | Use when no additional modifier applies and service is reported as usual. |
11 | Office or other outpatient visit |