Today is April 26, 2025.
If surgery was performed on or after January 26, 2025, today's visit is WITHIN the global period and not billable.
If surgery was performed before January 26, 2025, today's visit is outside the global surgical period and can be billed.
What is the Global Surgery Period?
The global surgery period is a specific time frame established by Medicare and other insurance providers during which all necessary medical care related to a surgical procedure is bundled into a single payment. This means that any follow-up visits, routine care, or complications directly related to the surgery are covered under the original surgical fee, and additional billing for these services is not allowed. Depending on the complexity of the surgery, the global period can be 0, 10, or 90 days, with the 90-day global period typically applied to more extensive or major surgical procedures.
The purpose of the global surgery period is to streamline medical billing and reduce unnecessary administrative costs. By bundling all care related to the surgery into one payment, insurance providers aim to promote cost-effective care while preventing overbilling for follow-up visits that are an expected part of the surgical recovery process. For example, a patient undergoing a hip replacement will likely need several post-operative visits to ensure the healing process is on track. These visits fall within the global period and are included in the original surgical fee, ensuring predictable costs for both the provider and the patient.
Understanding the global surgery period is essential for both healthcare providers and patients. For providers, adhering to these billing guidelines ensures compliance with insurance regulations and avoids denied claims or potential audits. For patients, knowing whether a visit falls within the global period helps clarify whether they will incur additional costs for post-operative care. This is particularly important in cases where unexpected complications arise or when a follow-up visit is scheduled near the end of the global period. By referencing the global surgery period, patients and providers can avoid billing disputes and ensure proper care coordination.
Bottom line: Use this page to easily calculate if today’s visit is within or outside the 90-day global period. This quick tool simplifies the process, ensuring accurate billing and helping you avoid unnecessary confusion about whether today’s visit is billable.