Newborn Coding Decision Tool 2026

Completely updated for 2026, this comprehensive chart provides clear, easy-to-follow guidelines on how to code for initial and subsequent services when a newborn’s situation changes.

Features include

• Guidance for selecting the correct initial or subsequent care codes for services to newborns
• Identification of combined and separately reported services provided in conjunction with neonatal intensive and critical care services
• Differentiating hospital care of an ill newborn from intensive and critical care services
• Choosing hourly versus daily critical care codes
• This card is 11" x 17" and is laminated for extra durability.
   

The AAP Committee on Coding and Nomenclature (COCN) is responsible for reviewing of all proposed changes to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding structures to determine whether the Academy will endorse the proposal; participates in the American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) survey process by validating clinical vignettes, evaluating survey data and deciding on physician work and practice expense relative value units (RVUs) to recommend to the RUC; and serves as a review panel regarding other activities such as identifying Academy positions on the Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS).