Embryo Thawing/Warming
Is it allowable to bill 89250 for the culture of embryos after thaw for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle? Is there a certain time that the embryos must be in culture? The CPT code says <4 days.
Login now to view this Coding information. Coding Resources are available to ASRM Members only.
If you are not an ASRM member and would like to be, visit the Membership Tab above.
Coding Q&A
View more Coding Q&A in this category
Billing for Ultrasounds and Labs
When billing for ultrasounds and labs, is it necessary
Use of Code 99211 for a Monitoring Appointment
Is it appropriate to use code 99211 if a patient is scheduled for a monitoring visit
Appropriate Use of Modifier -25
Is Modifier -25 appropriate in the monitoring cycle when an ultrasoundCoding Corner
Coding Corner is segmented into the following sections. Click an image below to view questions and answers in that section.
More Resources
ASRM Academy on the Go
ASRM MAC Tool 2021
The ASRM Müllerian Anomaly Classification 2021 (MAC2021) includes cervical and vaginal anomalies and standardize terminology within an interactive tool format.
Practice Guidance
EMR Shared Phrases/Template Library
This resource includes phrases shared by ASRM physician members to provide a template for individuals to create their own EMR phrases.
ASRM Practice Documents
These guidelines have been developed by the ASRM Practice Committee to assist physicians with clinical decisions regarding the care of their patients.
ASRM Ethics Opinions
Ethics Committee Reports are drafted by the members of the ASRM Ethics Committee on the tough ethical dilemmas of reproductive medicine.
Practice Guidance
Coding Corner Q & A
The Coding Corner Q & A is a list of previously submitted and answered questions from ASRM members about coding. Answers are available to ASRM Members only.
Practice Guidance
COVID-19 Resources
A compendium of ASRM resources concerning the Novel Corona virus (SARS-COV-2) and COVID-19.
Patient Resources
ReproductiveFacts.org provides a wide range of information related to reproductive health and infertility through patient education fact sheets, infographics, videos, and other resources.
Topic Resources
View more on the topic of embryo
Fertility and Sterility On Air - Unplugged: December 2024
Explore the complexities of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, their impact on fertility, and counseling strategies for patients in this in-depth podcast discussion. Listen to the Episode
How to bill for an FET
Is there a new update to the 89272 code that allows its use without View the Answer
Codes for Embryo Biopsy
When doing a preimplantation genetic test (PGT) biopsy, can you bill for each day a biopsy is performed or can you only bill once for the cycle? View the Answer
Billing for assisted hatching at biopsy and transfer
We would also like to know if you can bill assisted hatching with biopsy and then assisted hatching again during the transfer cycle. View the Answer
Alabama Supreme Court Rules Frozen Embryos are “Unborn Children” and admonishes IVF’s “Wild West” treatment
Legally Speaking™ on presenting facts and reflecting on the impact and potential implications of legal developments in ART. View the Column
Shipping of frozen embryos
I have some infertility coverage, under which my insurance said they will cover frozen embryo shipping/transport from one facility to another. View the Answer
Clinical management of mosaic results from preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy of blastocysts: a committee opinion (2023)
This document incorporates studies about mosaic embryo transfer and provides evidence-based considerations for embryos with mosaic results on PGT-A. View the Committee Opinion
How to EDGE
Explore the ASRM EDGE tool for embryo grading. Learn grading steps, view dashboards, and assign blastocyst grades using the SART and Gardner scales in ASRM Academy. View the ASRMed Talk Video
Frozen Embryo Destruction and Potential Travel Restrictions for Surrogacy Arrangements
Legally Speaking™ focuses on the impact and the potential implications of legal developments on the assisted reproductive technologies. View the Column
Journal Club Global: Transferencia de embriones frescos versus congelados: ¿Cuál es la mejor opción
Los resultados de nuevas técnicas de investigación clínica que utilizan información de bancos nacionales de vigilancia médica. View the Video
Defining embryo donation: an Ethics Committee opinion (2023)
The ethical appropriateness of patients donating embryos to other patients for family building, or for research, is well established.
View the Committee Opinion
Does the number of eggs being frozen matter?
There is currently only one CPT code for the cryopreservation of mature oocytes and embryos. View the Answer
Reproductive Tissue Storage
What are the CPT codes for the Storage of Reproductive Cells/Tissues? View the Answer
ICSI and Embryo Biopsy
How to bill for ICSI or embryo biopsies that occur in different days? View the Answer
Lab RVUs
Is there a list of RVUs for embryology and andrology laboratory procedures, and if so, where can it be found? View the Answer
Embryo Biopsy
Have any new codes been introduced for the lab portion of PGT? View the Answer
Embryo Biopsy Embryologist Travel Costs
Can we bill insurance for the biopsy procedure? Can we bill for travel expenses? View the Answer
Embryo Biopsy PGS Testing
What codes are appropriate for PGS testing? View the Answer
Embryo Co-culture
Can codes 89250 and 89251 be billed on different days of the same cycle? View the Answer
Embryo Culture Denied As Experimental
We have received denials from insurance payers when billing CPT code 89251. View the Answer
Embryo Culture Less Than And More Than Four Days
When coding 89250 culture of oocytes/embryo <4 days, should that code be submitted to the insurance company for each of the days? View the Answer
Embryo Freezing/Thawing
Our question refers to the CPT code 89258 “Cryopreservation; Embryo(s)” and 89352 “Thawing of Cryopreserved; Embryo”. View the Answer
Embryo Storage Fees For Multiple Cycles
We bill embryo storage 89342 for a year's storage. View the Answer
Embryo Thawing/Warming
Is it allowable to bill 89250 for the culture of embryos after thaw for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle? View the Answer
Gamete Thawing/Warming
Can patients be charged for each vial/straw of reproductive gametes or tissues thawed? View the Answer
D&C Under Ultrasound Guidance
What are the CPT codes and ICD-10 codes for coding a surgical case for a patient with history of Stage B adenocarcinoma of the cervix ... View the Answer
Assisted Hatching Billed With Embryo Biopsy
Do you know if both assisted hatching (89253) and embryo biopsy for PGS/PGD/CCS (89290/89291) can be billed during the same cycle? View the Answer
Assisted Zona Hatching
Can assisted hatching and embryo biopsy for PGT-A; PGT-M or PGT-SR be billed during the same cycle? View the Answer
Billing For Cryopreservation Of Embryos Under The Male Partner
Can 89258 be billed under the male partner of a female patient? View the Answer
Embryo Transfer
A summary of Embryo Transfer codes collected by the ASRM Coding Committee View the Coding Summary
Colorado court balances religious and secular beliefs in frozen embryo divorce dispute
The day before the Dobbs decision, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled on a divorcing couple’s disputed control over their frozen embryos. View the Legally Speaking
Journal Club Global: Is PGT-P cutting edge or should we cut it out?
PGT for polygenic risk scoring (PGT-P) is a novel screening strategy of embryos for polygenic conditions and traits. View the Video
Disposition of unclaimed embryos: an Ethics Committee opinion
Programs should create and enforce written policies addressing the designation, retention, and disposal of unclaimed embryos. View the Committee Opinion
A review of best practices of rapid-cooling vitrification for oocytes and embryos: a committee opinion (2021)
The focus of this paper is to review best practices for rapid-cooling cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos. View the Committee Opinion
Ethics in embryo research: a position statement by the ASRM Ethics in Embryo Research Task Force and the ASRM Ethics Committee (2020)
Scientific research using human embryos advances human health and offspring well-being and provides vital insights into the mechanisms for reproduction. View the Committee Opinion
Guidance for Providers Caring for Women and Men Of Reproductive Age with Possible Zika Virus Exposure (Updated 2019)
This ASRM guidance specifically addresses Zika virus infection issues and concerns of individuals undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). View the Guideline
Blastocyst culture and transfer in clinically assisted reproduction: a committee opinion (2018)
The purposes of this document is to review the literature regarding the clinical application of blastocyst transfer. View the Committee Opinion
Posthumous retrieval and use of gametes or embryos: an Ethics Committee opinion (2018)
Posthumous gamete retrieval or use is ethically justifiable if written documentation from the deceased authorizing the procedure is available. View the Committee Opinion
Recommended practices for the management of embryology, andrology, and endocrinology laboratories: a committee opinion (2014)
A general overview for good management practices within the endocrinology, andrology, and embryology laboratories in the United States. View the Recommendation
Informed consent and the use of gametes and embryos for research: a committee opinion (2014)
The ethical conduct of human gamete and embryo research depends upon conscientious application of principles of informed consent. View the Committee Opinion
ASRM EDGE Tool
Get the EDGE on your fellow Embryologists! As the grading of embryos varies within IVF laboratories and between laboratories, EDGE allows you to compare yourself against embryologists in the US and around the world. Learn more about the EDGE ToolTopic Resources
View more on the topic of embryo transfer
Fertility and Sterility On Air - TOC: October 2024
Explore the latest in reproductive medicine with Fertility and Sterility On Air. Topics include ovarian tissue cryopreservation, DuoStim debates, 1PN embryos, and ART outcomes. Listen to the Episode
Fertility and Sterility On Air - Live from ASRM 2024: Part 2
Dive into the latest discussions on male fertility testing, U.S. insurance mandates for fertility treatments, and advancements in frozen embryo transfer research. Listen to the Episode
Hormonal Induction of Endometrial Receptivity for Fresh or Frozen Embryo Transfer Part II
Dr. Richard Paulson discusses progesterone administration in IVF, comparing intramuscular and vaginal methods, optimal timing, and recent research findings. View the ASRMed Talk Video
How to bill for an FET
Is there a new update to the 89272 code that allows its use without View the Answer
Fertility and Sterility On Air - TOC: August 2024
Stay informed with Fertility and Sterility On Air, discussing the latest research on reproductive medicine, obesity, Turner syndrome, and cutting-edge fertility treatments. Listen to the Episode
Billing Physician vs Service Physician
What physician’s name must be on the treatment notes and who we are permitted to bill to insurance for: View the Answer
Journal Club Global: SREI Fellows Retreat - Fellows vs Faculty Debate: Luteal Support in Programmed FET Cycles
Fertility and Sterility Journal Club debate on progesterone administration in frozen embryo transfers, featuring faculty vs fellows discussing IM vs vaginal routes. View the Video
Fertility and Sterility On Air - Live from ESHRE 2024: Part 2
Explore fresh embryo transfers, progesterone elevation, and day-seven embryo utility from experts at ESHRE 2024. Cutting-edge fertility insights await! Listen to the Episode
Who to bill for gestational carrier services if intended parents have insurance?
I wanted to inquire about guidelines for billing services to a surrogate’s insurance company if intended parents purchased the insurance coverage. View the Answer
Coding for an endometrial biopsy/Mock cycle
We had patients request us to bill their insurance for the two monitoring visits and the Endo BX and change the diagnosis code to something that is payable. View the Answer
Can SART Improve the LBR/transfer
Timothy Hickman discusses SART’s progress in IVF, including improvements in live birth rates and the shift to single embryo transfers for safer, high-quality outcomes. View the ASRMed Talk Video
Journal Club Global - Actualización en la suplementación con progesterona en fase lútea para transferencias de embriones congelados
Efectividad del rescate de progesterona en mujeres que presentan niveles bajos de progesterona circulante alrededor del día de la transferencia de embriones View the Video
CPT 89253 and 89254 for Assisted hatching
Can I bill CPT codes 89253 and 89254 together? If yes, do I need a modifier on any of the codes? View the Answer
US Embryo Transfer
At the meeting, we learned about the CPT code 76705-Ultasound guidance for embryo transfer, can this code be billed with CPT code 76942? View the Answer
US Embryo Transfer in Surgery Center
Can we use code 76998 for the ultrasound guidance as this patient is being seen in the Surgery Center? View the Answer
US Embryo Transfer-Transmyometrial
How would you code for an ultrasound- guided transvaginal-transmyometrial test transfer of embryo catheter? View the Answer
Uterine Sounding
Is there any specific CPT code(s) for uterine sounding? (Referring to cannulating the cervix and “sounding” or measuring the uterine height) View the Answer
Trial Transfer
Can you advise the proper coding process for a trial transfer? View the Answer
IVF Case Rates
What ICD-10 codes apply to case rates? View the Answer
In Vitro Maturation
Have CPT codes been established for maturation in vitro? View the Answer
IVF Lab vs Physician Practice Billing
We are planning to open an IVF lab that is not contracted with insurance companies. View the Answer
Monitoring FET
What is the correct diagnosis code to use on the follicle ultrasound (76857) for a patient who is undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET)? View the Answer
Embryo Thawing/Warming
Is it allowable to bill 89250 for the culture of embryos after thaw for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle? View the Answer
Endometrial Biopsy/Scratch
What CPT code should be used for a “scratch test”? View the Answer
D&C Under Ultrasound Guidance
What are the CPT codes and ICD-10 codes for coding a surgical case for a patient with history of Stage B adenocarcinoma of the cervix ... View the Answer
Elective Single Embryo Transfer
Has any progress been made in creating/obtaining a specific CPT code for an elective single embryo transfer (eSET)? View the Answer
Assisted Hatching Billed With Embryo Biopsy
Do you know if both assisted hatching (89253) and embryo biopsy for PGS/PGD/CCS (89290/89291) can be billed during the same cycle? View the Answer
Embryo Transfer
A summary of Embryo Transfer codes collected by the ASRM Coding Committee View the Coding Summary
Journal Club Global Live from PCRS - Non-Invasive Embryo Selection Techniques
The next great frontier in reproductive medicine is how to non-invasively select an embryo with the highest reproductive potential for transfer. View the Video
Journal Club Global - Should Fellows Perform Live Embryo Transfers in Fellowship?
Few things are more taboo in reproductive medicine fellowship training than allowing fellows to perform live embryo transfers. View the Video
Journal Club Global Live from ASRM - Optimal Management of the Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycle: Insights From Recent Literature
Three recent papers published in the Fertility and Sterility family of journals, all explore different aspects of optimizing frozen embryo transfer cycles. View the Video
Guidance on the limits to the number of embryos to transfer: a committee opinion (2021)
ASRM's guidelines for the limits on the number of embryos to be transferred during IVF cycles have been further refined ... View the Committee Opinion
Compassionate transfer: patient requests for embryo transfer for nonreproductive purposes (2020)
A patient request to transfer embryos into her body in a location or at a time when pregnancy is highly unlikely ... View the Committee Opinion
Blastocyst culture and transfer in clinically assisted reproduction: a committee opinion (2018)
The purposes of this document is to review the literature regarding the clinical application of blastocyst transfer. View the Committee Opinion
Transferring embryos with genetic anomalies detected in preimplantation testing: an Ethics Committee Opinion (2018)
Patient requests for transfer of embryos with genetic anomalies linked to serious health-affecting disorders detected in preimplantation testing are rare but do exist. View the Committee Document
Performing the embryo transfer: a guideline (2017)
A systematic review of the literature was conducted which examined each of the major steps of embryo transfer. Recommendations made for improving pregnancy rates are based on interventions demonstrated to be either beneficial or not beneficial. (Fertil Steril® 2017;107:882–96. ©2017 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.) View the Committee Guideline
