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.

Author Biography

The AAP Committee on Coding and Nomenclature (COCN) is responsible for reviewing all proposed changes to CPT and 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’s (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 RBRVS. The COCN also monitors the Medicare RBRVS physician fee schedule and its adoption by private and public payers.

To update pediatricians on its activities, including the formal publication of new and revised CPT and ICD-10-CM coding structures and final values for CPT codes used by pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists, the COCN publishes periodic articles in AAP News along with a monthly coding column called Coding ​Corner.