AAPC Surgical Package and Global Period Rules

Question 1

What does the CMS global surgical package include?

Accepted Answer

The operation plus related pre- and postoperative care

Answer

The CMS global surgical package bundles the operation and all related pre- and postoperative care within the defined global period into a single payment.

Question 2

What is the global period for a minor surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

0 or 10 days

Answer

Minor surgical procedures are assigned a global period of either 0 days or 10 days depending on the specific procedure.

Question 3

Which modifier is used on an E/M service when the decision for a major surgery is made on the day before or the day of surgery?

Accepted Answer

-57

Answer

Modifier -57 is appended to an E/M code when the service resulted in the initial decision to perform a major surgical procedure.

Question 4

What is the global period for most major surgical procedures under Medicare?

Accepted Answer

90 days

Answer

Most major surgical procedures have a 90-day global period, beginning the day after surgery, during which related postoperative care is included.

Question 5

Which modifier indicates that an unrelated procedure was performed by the same physician during the postoperative period?

Accepted Answer

-79

Answer

Modifier -79 is used when the same physician performs an unrelated procedure during the postoperative global period of another procedure.

AAPC - American Academy of Professional Coders Practice Test

AAPC - American Academy of Professional Coders Practice Test

AAPC Surgical Package and Global Period Rules