Know when to bill separately and when service is included in global

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding global surgical packaging helps prevent unbundling errors and supports more accurate claims for surgical and postoperative care. The article is especially relevant when payer rules differ, since separate reporting decisions may vary by insurer and setting.

Article Sections

1. Global surgical package basics

   Introduces the overall concept of what may be packaged into a surgical service and why source guidance should be checked before reporting additional services.

2. Services generally included

   Summarizes the broad categories of care commonly treated as part of the surgical package under CPT guidance.

3. Services generally not included

   Outlines broad categories of services that are commonly treated as outside the package under both CPT and Medicare concepts.

4. Length of global periods

   Describes how global period length varies by procedure type and how the period relates to timing of related care.

5. Global periods and place of service

   Discusses how setting and procedure complexity can influence the global period associated with a service.

6. Unrelated procedures

   Explains the article’s comparison of how CPT and Medicare approach services that occur during the postoperative period but are not routine follow-up.