TMPPM 2008 > Texas Medicaid Services > Hospital (Medical/Surgical Acute Care Facility) > Outpatient

25.3.3.17 Fetal Nonstress Testing and Contraction Stress Test

The following diagnosis codes are payable for both nonstress and contraction stress testing:

Nonstress Testing

Nonstress testing is a form of fetal monitoring in which transducers are applied to the mother's abdomen to monitor fetal heart rate. Tracings of this activity may be obtained from the fetoscope.

Nonstress testing conducted in the outpatient setting should be billed with revenue code B-729.

This revenue code is denied if it is billed more than once per day with the same provider. Procedure code 2-59025 and revenue code B-729 may be reimbursed on the same day, different provider, without appeal. Codes 2-59025 and B-729 billed more than once per day, same provider, will be denied. The provider must appeal with documentation supporting the performance of the test more than once on the same day/same provider.

Revenue code B-729 is payable for outpatient (POS 5) hospital settings and to hospital-based rural health clinics only. The inpatient hospital stay is payable under the hospital's reimbursement methodology.

The following diagnosis codes are payable only for nonstress testing (B-729):

Contraction Stress Testing

The contraction stress test is performed to assess the condition of the fetus in utero. This test is done by monitoring the fetus' response to the stress of uterine contractions. Baseline recordings of the fetal heart rate are made by an electronic devise such as a Doppler. IV oxytocin is administered to produce uterine contractions. Fetal heart rate is measured during the contractions. Sustained alterations of the heart rate beyond the contractions may indicate fetal distress and the need for further intervention.

Contraction stress testing conducted in the outpatient setting should be billed with revenue code B-729.

Revenue code B-729 is reimbursed on the same day/different provider, without appeal. This procedure code is denied if it is billed more than once per day with the same provider. Procedure code 2-59020 and revenue code B-729 may be reimbursed on the same day, different provider, without appeal. Codes 2-59025 and B-729 billed more than once per day, same provider, will be denied. The provider must appeal with documentation supporting the performance of the test more than once on the same day/same provider.

Revenue code B-729 is payable for outpatient hospital stays and to hospital-based rural health clinics only. The inpatient hospital stay is reimbursed under the hospital's DRG.

The following diagnosis codes are payable only for contraction stress testing (B-729):

Refer to: "Nonstress Testing, Contraction Stress Testing" for related physician services.