Continuous NST monitoring in the hospital setting

Coding Tips,

How is continuous NST monitoring billed when a patient is admitted to the hospital?

Inpatient continuous fetal heart rate and/or uterine contraction monitoring is not billed as non-stress test (59025) or contraction stress test (59020).  Instead, continuous monitoring is included in the evaluation and management service and billed as such. If continuous monitoring is provided in the outpatient setting, it would be reported under the appropriate observation code. 

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