Know When to Treat 'Separate Procedures' Separately

Why This Topic Matters

Misunderstanding separate procedure designations can lead to incorrect reporting and bundling errors. The article clarifies the relationship between CPT conventions and NCCI edits so readers can evaluate whether a service is distinct enough to stand alone.

Article Sections

1. Turn to NCCI for guidance if you're in doubt about a bundle

   Introduces the topic of bundled services and the role of national correct coding guidance in resolving uncertainty. It sets up the discussion of separate procedure designations in CPT.

2. The Right Time to Unbundle

   Explains the general concept of separate procedures and discusses when they may be considered apart from a broader service. The section includes surgical examples and general discussion of modifier use.

3. Rely on NCCI for Guidance

   Describes how NCCI bundling edits can be used to determine whether a procedure is included in another service. It reinforces the relationship between CPT conventions and bundling edits.