Wiki Billing "unrelated" E/M during global period

[mdopp916]

I am needing a little clarification... I have a patient that came in for a fracture to the left radius/ulna.. PT came in for follow-up (and this is during the global period) and is complaining of wrist pain, same wrist (LEFT side) and now is being diagnosed with Osteoarthritis to the same wrist and carpal tunnel. Can the Dr. bill and 'unrelated' E/M with a 24 modifier?

I am thinking that it would be included in global given that it is on the same wrist? Or am I wrong in thinking that?

Any help/advise is greatly APPRECIATED...

Thanks!

 

[MnTwins29]

This would be a new problem and is not related to the surgery - osteoarthritis would not be a typical complication after surgery and CTS is a neurological condition, not musculoskeletal. The documentation should make it clear that these are not related to the surgery and you could bill with the modifier. Also keep in mind the global surgical package includes "typical" post-operative care. The CTS treatment, no matter how it was done, would certainly NOT be typical care.