Wiki Minor Surgery Package Limits

[dtricia]

In the Urgent Care setting providers often do minor procedures. I am trying to get them out of the habit of charging office visits for these, telling them the initial evaluation for minor surgical procedure is always included in the global package.If an xray is done and interpreted, I still think that is included because the CMS guideline says "ALL care related to the surgery is compensated by the global code.' Using modifier 25 must only be used for something above and beyond the usual pre-and post op work. I don't think an xray is above and beyond the usual.
Am I too rigid here?

Tricia D,RHIT, CPC, CCS-P, CHONC

 

[CodingKing]

The following may be helpful. E&M can be billed with a minor procedure. The difference here is you didn't know the surgery was needed prior to evaluating the patient. Its not as if its an existing patient returning knowing they needed a procedure based on a previous visit.

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/oct10/managing1.asp