tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2001 Issue 2

Reader Question: Postoperative Bleeding Repair

Question: When a patient returns to the operating room for postoperative bleeding on the same date as the original procedure, what modifier would be used on the repair of the bleed? When does the post-op period begin for the first surgery?Fara WilliamsAmarillo Surgical Group, Amarillo, TexasAnswer: As defined by HCFA, the postoperative period begins the day before the surgery was performed and lasts until the end of the specified time period (i.e., 90 days for a 90-day global period), says Kathleen Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, an independent coding and reimbursement specialist in Lenzburg, Ill. All additional medical...

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