CPT
50590 — Lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
OB/GYN
59400 — Routine obstetric care including antepartum care, vaginal delivery and postpartum care
This global code bundles your complete OB care into one charge: all prenatal visits (typically about 13), the vaginal delivery itself (including episiotomy if needed), and postpartum care through 6 weeks after delivery.
- Typical setting: OB/GYN office, hospital labor & delivery
- National avg charge (illustrative): $2,000–$6,000 (physician professional fee only; does not include hospital facility charges, anesthesia, or newborn care)
- Most-disputed reason: Being billed separately for individual prenatal visits AND the global delivery code on the same claim — routine prenatal visits are included in the global package and should not appear as separate E/M charges.
What it means
What 59400 actually means
This global code bundles your complete OB care into one charge: all prenatal visits (typically about 13), the vaginal delivery itself (including episiotomy if needed), and postpartum care through 6 weeks after delivery. One code covers the entire pregnancy for one physician or practice group.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Being billed separately for individual prenatal visits AND the global delivery code on the same claim — routine prenatal visits are included in the global package and should not appear as separate E/M charges.
- Ultrasounds, non-stress tests (59025), and amniocentesis billed as part of the global charge when these tests are NOT included and are legitimately separate billable services.
- Being billed the global code 59400 when the same physician did not provide both antepartum and delivery care — if care was split between two providers, partial codes (59425/59426 for antepartum only, 59409 for delivery only) should be used instead.
If you see 59400 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 59400 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
55250 — Vasectomy, unilateral or bilateral, including postoperative semen examination
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
57452 — Colposcopy of cervix including upper/adjacent vagina
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
58150 — Total abdominal hysterectomy , with/without tubes/ovaries
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
58571 — Laparoscopic total hysterectomy, uterus 250g or less, with/without tubes/ovaries
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 59400 on a bill.
59400 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 59400 usually cost?
$2,000–$6,000 (physician professional fee only; does not include hospital facility charges, anesthesia, or newborn care). Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 59400?
Being billed separately for individual prenatal visits AND the global delivery code on the same claim — routine prenatal visits are included in the global package and should not appear as separate E/M charges.
What should I do if I see 59400 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 59400 before paying.
Don't pay 59400 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.