Wiki Global for sutures

[AHESLER]

There is a 10 day global period on a suture charge for 12001 and no charge for removing the sutures when patient returns to the office in those 10 days but what if a patient comes back in 15 days to have the sutures removed. Can we charge an E/M when the patient comes back for the suture removal when it has been longer than the global period?

 

[DeeCPC]

Yes you can.

 

[Mojo]

The global for 12001 (simple repair) changed to zero for 2011.

Fifty percent of Medicare claims with simple repairs were performed by ED providers. Since ED providers usually do not see the patient for follow-up care, it was determined they should not be paid within the procedure for after-care; if follow-up care is performed, it is billed separately.