Summary & Overview
CPT 59840: First-Trimester Surgical Abortion by Suction Curettage
CPT code 59840 denotes a first-trimester surgical abortion performed by dilating the cervix and removing the fetus and products of conception using suction curettage via a vaginal approach. Nationally, this code is a primary procedural identifier for early pregnancy termination performed for elective or therapeutic reasons and is relevant for clinical coding, quality monitoring, and reimbursement across outpatient surgical settings. Key payers commonly involved in coverage and claims adjudication for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of how the code is used in clinical practice, typical sites of service, and payer patterns; summaries of common billing modifiers and claim considerations; and context on related procedural coding that may appear on surgical service lines. The publication addresses benchmarking and policy-relevant issues tied to coding consistency and documentation requirements, and it provides clinical context necessary for accurate claim submission and recordkeeping. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 59840 describes a procedure in which the provider deliberately terminates a pregnancy by dilating the cervix and removing the fetus and products of conception using a suction curette via a vaginal approach. This procedure is typically performed for elective or therapeutic reasons during the first trimester, defined as less than fourteen complete weeks of gestation.
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Service type: First-trimester surgical abortion performed via suction and curettage
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an outpatient clinic with appropriate surgical capabilities
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 26-year-old patient presents to an outpatient ambulatory surgical center seeking elective termination of a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy at 9 weeks' gestation. After pre-procedure counseling and informed consent, the patient undergoes preoperative assessment including vital signs, ultrasound confirmation of gestational age and intrauterine location, and routine laboratory testing per facility protocol. In the procedure room, the patient receives local cervical anesthesia and moderate sedation administered and monitored by the anesthesia team. The provider dilates the cervix and performs a suction curettage via a vaginal approach to evacuate the uterine contents. Hemostasis is confirmed, post-procedure recovery monitoring occurs, and discharge instructions with follow-up are provided.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Unspecified modifier | Rarely used; vendor-specific default when no other modifier applies |
11 | Typically not a standard CMS modifier; used by some payors for primary service reporting | Use only if payer requires for primary procedure identification |