How long is the global period for major surgical procedures?

The global period for major surgical procedures is typically 90 days. This period encompasses the time during which related follow-up care is included in the payment for the surgical procedure itself. It is important to understand that during this 90-day global period, any routine postoperative visits necessary for recovery do not incur additional charges, as they are considered part of the surgical package.

This 90-day global period applies to a wide array of major surgeries, ensuring that both the patient and the provider are aware that routine postoperative care is included in the cost of the initial surgery. This facilitates seamless postoperative management and helps avoid unexpected costs for patients during their recovery.

In contrast, minor surgical procedures often have shorter global periods, with the most common being 10 or 30 days. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for medical coders and billers to ensure accurate coding and billing practices for various types of procedures.