1. What Is the Global Period?

The global period refers to the number of days after a surgical procedure during which all related services are included in the payment for the procedure. This includes postoperative care and management of complications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses a database lookup to determine the global period associated with a specific CPT code:

Where:

• Code — Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code

Explanation: The calculator searches a database of CPT codes and returns the associated global period in days.

3. Importance of Global Period Calculation

Details: Understanding global periods is essential for proper medical billing and coding. It helps determine which services can be billed separately and which are included in the global surgical package.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter a valid CPT code to determine its associated global period. Common global periods are 0, 10, or 90 days.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the different types of global periods?
A: Global periods are typically 0, 10, or 90 days. A 0-day global period means no postoperative care is included. 10-day includes minor procedures, and 90-day includes major surgeries.

Q2: How often are global period assignments updated?
A: Global period assignments are typically updated annually by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and may vary by payer.

Q3: Can global periods vary by insurance provider?
A: Yes, while Medicare sets standard global periods, some private insurers may have different policies for certain procedures.

Q4: What services are included in the global surgical package?
A: Typically includes preoperative visits, the procedure itself, and postoperative follow-up care related to recovery from the surgery.

Q5: Are there exceptions to global period rules?
A: Yes, certain circumstances like unrelated services, treatment of complications, or staged procedures may allow for separate billing during the global period.