Wiki Global Period

LeaHarris

Networker
Messages
63
Best answers
0
A patient came in and had a vasectomy in the office (family practice). The next day the patient developed a hematoma and returned for care in which we no charged due to the global period. 3 days later we sent the patient to general surgery for evacuation of the hematoma. When we sent the patient to general surgery does our global period for the original procedure end? We are now doing daily wound care for the patient following his surgery (with an outside provider) and I am wondering if we can charge for the daily visits or if our global period is still to be considered.

Thanks!
 
The global period for the original procedure is over in minor procedures 10 days from the procedure date. Major procedures 90 days from procedures date. Does not start over no null and void situations even if patients have complications from procedure. Depending on guidelines or rules of the original procedure you may be able to bill 2nd procedure with a -78 related but unplanned return.

Callie Bannister, CPC, COPC
 
Global periods only apply to physicians of the same specialty and same practice, so the general surgeon's procedure will not in any way affect the coding of services you bill in family practice. You will only need to look at the global period of the original procedure done by your provider to determine whether or not the services of the family practice provider global to the original procedure or separately billable.

This is kind of a unique situation since the hematoma may be considered a complication of the vasectomy, so the post-operative care of the hematoma could be considered related to the vasectomy and a payer might consider that inclusive. I think you'll need to review your documentation and perhaps also look at your payer's policy to be able to decide if it supports being billed as a separate service while you are in that original global period.
 
Top