59821 Treatment of miscarriage
Also known as: D&E for miscarriage, curettage for spontaneous abortion
Surgical treatment of spontaneous abortion including dilation, evacuation, and curettage for management of incomplete abortion with retained products.
In Plain Language
surgery to complete miscarriage
Clinical Context
Operative approach for incomplete spontaneous abortion with hemorrhage or infection risk; provides definitive removal of retained tissue.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 4.96 |
| Total RVU | 4.96 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 4.96, this code ranks in the 34th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 59821?
CPT 59821 (Treatment of miscarriage) is a Surgery code. Surgical treatment of spontaneous abortion including dilation, evacuation, and curettage for management of incomplete abortion with retained products.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 59821?
The work RVU for CPT 59821 is 4.96. This code is primarily used by Obstetrics and Gynecology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 59821 used?
Operative approach for incomplete spontaneous abortion with hemorrhage or infection risk; provides definitive removal of retained tissue.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.