I got my employers attention when I told her about global periods in the ER. They were only using global periods for major surgeries. I showed her there are global periods for minor procedures done in the ER also. Now there is a new delema. I printed the definition for global periods from the CMS website. There was a part in it that says "Treatment for the underlying condition"or an added course of treatment which is not a part of normal recovery from surgery is not included in the global period". So now they are saying if someone comes into the ER and has an abcess and the Dr performs and incision and drainage 10061 (which has a 10 day global period) and if the pt comes back in 2 days and the Dr is treating the infection then it is not included and I should code an E/M level, because he is treating the "underlying condition" which is the infection. I don't think that is correct. Can anyone help me!!??
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