Advanced Search

Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Find a World of Difference Between XXX and 000 Globals

Published on Mon Apr 26, 2010

Question: What's the difference between an "XXX" global period and a "000" global period? Indiana SubscriberAnswer: Although both XXX and 000 global periods appear free of global bundling issues, you should know that there is a distinct difference between the two.The classification XXX (Global surgical rules do not apply) means that the service is truly free of global surgical bundling issues, and you can separately report services that the ophthalmologist performs on the same date as the surgical procedure (such as E/M services).The 000 indicator applies to the date of the procedure only. Medicare will therefore bundle all surgical services that the ophthalmologist performs on the surgery date into codes with this indicator.Example 1: Corneal smear (65430) includes a 000 global period. This means that if the ophthalmologist performs an E/M service on the same date as the smear, Medicare will bundle the E/M into payment for 65430 --unless, of [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

View All