decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2007 Issue 1 (January)
Don't lose entitled payments to global surgery period errors
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article covers global surgery period basics and common situations in which services may be billed separately during the surgical global period. It is aimed at coding and billing professionals, particularly those working with Medicare and other carrier interpretations, and focuses on broad modifier use, unrelated services, staged procedures, return-to-OR scenarios, and diagnostic testing considerations.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding global period billing helps practices avoid missed reimbursement and reduce claim errors when services occur around a surgery. The article also highlights that carrier interpretation can vary, making careful review important for coders and billers.
Article Sections
-
Global surgery period overview
Introduces the concept of the surgical global period and describes the types of services commonly included in bundled payment. It also notes that some services during this time may be separately reportable.
-
Situations that may allow separate reporting
Reviews several broad scenarios involving postoperative or concurrent services that may require special attention during a global period. The discussion centers on modifier-based reporting and related claim considerations.
-
Diagnostic testing and carrier guidance
Notes that certain diagnostic tests may be handled differently during a global period and emphasizes payer-specific interpretation. It closes with a reminder to confirm guidance when uncertain.
What You Will Learn
- How the global surgery period affects reimbursement and claim handling
- Which broad categories of services may be considered separately during a global period
- Why documentation and payer interpretation matter in global surgery billing
- How diagnostic testing may differ from other services during the global period
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Medical billers
- Practice managers
- Revenue cycle staff
- Physician office staff
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com