I strongly second Amanda's vote for the visit prior to a planned major surgery is included in the global package. I refer to the Medicare global surgery booklet referenced regularly. I am assuming this is a major surgery (90 day global) if the patient is inpatient and admitted to the hospital. There are 2 specific items there that I believe are relevant here, both stating the inpatient visit is not billable separately. If this was not a planned surgery, then my advice would differ. I also suppose there are scenarios where a patient might be admitted for a minor procedure with zero global, but I can't recall having that scenario ever. Perhaps some input on the procedure being done (minor with zero global, minor with 10 global, major with 90 global) could clarify the differing opinions.
What services are included in the global surgery payment? Medicare includes the following services in the global surgery payment when provided in addition to the surgery:
• Pre-operative visits after the decision is made to operate. For major procedures, this includes pre-operative visits the day before the day of surgery. For minor procedures, this includes pre-operative visits the day of surgery.
• Intra-operative services that are normally a usual and necessary part of a surgical procedure
• All additional medical or surgical services required of the surgeon during the post-operative period of the surgery because of complications, which do not require additional trips to the operating room
• Follow-up visits during the post-operative period of the surgery that are related to recovery from the surgery
• Post-surgical pain management by the surgeon
• Supplies, except for those identified as exclusions
• Miscellaneous services, such as dressing changes, local incision care, removal of operative pack, removal of cutaneous sutures and staples, lines, wires, tubes, drains, casts, and splints; insertion, irrigation, and removal of urinary catheters, routine peripheral intravenous lines, nasogastric and rectal tubes; and changes and removal of tracheostomy tubes
90-day Post-operative Period (major procedures).
• One day pre-operative included
• Day of the procedure is generally not payable as a separate service.
• Total global period is 92 days. Count 1 day before the day of the surgery, the day of surgery, and the 90 days immediately following the day of surgery.