Wiki follow-up during global period

[TLC]

I know when a doctor see's a patient during the "global period" these are "no charge" visits. However what if the patient has an extensive wound that requires a lot of "packing" material to be used and they spend time cleaning and re-packing the wound. Can they charge at least for the dressing's they are using??
Also what if the patient was seen in the ER or an urgent care by a different doctor, than has to go see their own doctor or for re-packing can they charge a visit and re-packing using a modifier 55 "postoperative management"? Thank you very much

 

[FTessaBartels]

Procedure vs E/M

A procedure CAN be billed during the post-operative period. So wound care could be billed. Don't forget your modifier.

An E/M cannot be billed during the global period, unless it is UNRELATED to the procedure.

As usual, everything depends upon the documentation of the service.

Hope that helps

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC