Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Practice Test

What global surgical period does Medicare recognize for major surgeries?

1. 30 days

2. 60 days

3. 90 days

4. 120 days

The correct answer is: 90 days

Medicare recognizes a global surgical period of 90 days for major surgeries. This period is significant because it includes not just the procedure itself but also the preoperative evaluation and any postoperative care involved within those 90 days. In clinical practice, this means that the surgeon is responsible for any follow-up visits related to the surgery during this timeframe without being reimbursed separately for these visits—this is simply part of the overall surgical care. The designation of a 90-day global period helps streamline claims processing and documentation, ensuring that surgical care is comprehensively managed within an appropriate time frame post-surgery. Understanding the global surgical period is essential for coding properly in the context of surgical procedures as it influences billing and reimbursement for services rendered. Major surgeries, by their complexity and nature, require a longer postoperative care window, and this duration allows for proper recovery assessment and management of potential complications. Therefore, recognizing the 90-day global surgical period helps ensure that healthcare providers and coders are aligned with Medicare's guidelines for handling surgical claims.