Wiki Global in the ER?

[tony1sue]

If a patient is seen in the ER with an open wound and is stitched, then returns to the ER 3 days later for a wound check due to dehiscence, would an E/M be billable or is it considered in a global period? (PB billing)

 

[Andrschery]

I would code late effects code, and assign an appropriate E/M service. The dehiscence of the wound is not a "normal course of post - op care"."

 

[tony1sue]

Thank you!

That is exactly what I was thinking

 

[nrichard]

This may be true with commercial payers.

Becareful with your federal payers though!
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Edu...oducts/downloads/GloballSurgery-ICN907166.pdf
CMS states unless you're doing another surgery, you can't bill the E&M.

 

[KellyLR]

A little comment from experience

I've performed ER coding and we didn't use Global codes.