Reader Questions: Pay Attention to the Global Package for Surgery-Related Appointments

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding whether a follow-up preoperative appointment is part of the surgical global package affects compliant reporting of office/outpatient E/M services and helps practices avoid billing errors when surgery planning spans multiple visits.

Article Sections

1. Question

   Introduces a billing scenario involving a return visit before a planned surgery and asks whether the encounter may be reported separately or treated as part of the surgical package.

2. Answer

   Summarizes payer guidance for surgery-related preoperative visits and explains the role of the patient’s condition, medical decision making, and documentation when considering reporting.

3. Exception

   Describes a situation in which a change in the patient’s status between visits may support additional evaluation and management reporting.