1. What is the Medicare Post Op Period?

The Medicare Post Op Period is the timeframe after a surgical procedure during which all related care is considered part of the global surgical package and not separately billable to Medicare.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses a simple date addition formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Surgery Date} \) — The date when the surgical procedure was performed
• \( \text{Global Days} \) — The number of postoperative days included in the global period (typically 0, 10, or 90 days)

3. Importance of Post Op Period Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of the post op period is crucial for proper billing and compliance with Medicare regulations. Services provided during this period that are related to the surgery should not be billed separately.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the surgery date and the number of global days (typically 0, 10, or 90 days depending on the procedure). The calculator will determine the end date of the post op period.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the typical global periods?
A: Medicare recognizes three global periods: 0-day (minor procedures), 10-day (many minor surgical procedures), and 90-day (major surgical procedures).

Q2: Does the global period include the day of surgery?
A: For 10-day and 90-day global periods, the day of surgery counts as day 0, and the period includes the following 10 or 90 calendar days.

Q3: What services are included in the global period?
A: The global surgical package includes all necessary services normally furnished by the surgeon before, during, and after a procedure.

Q4: Are there exceptions to the global period rules?
A: Yes, some services may be billed separately if they meet specific criteria (e.g., treatment of unrelated conditions or complications requiring a return to the operating room).

Q5: How do I find the global days for a specific procedure?
A: The global days are assigned to each CPT code and can be found in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule or coding references.