What does the global period in surgical billing define?

• A. A defined postoperative period during which all postoperative visits are billable as separate CPT codes
• B. A defined preoperative period for preauthorization only
• C. A general billing window for pre-surgery tests
• D. A defined postoperative period during which certain services related to surgery are included in the surgical payment

Answer: (D)

The global period is a postoperative window tied to a surgical procedure during which the surgeon’s payment package includes the related post‑operative care. Because of this bundling, most postoperative visits and services within that period aren’t billed separately—they’re considered part of the single surgical payment. Only services that are unrelated to the surgery or specifically outside the global package can be billed separately. The length of this global period varies by procedure and payer (commonly 0, 10, or 90 days). This concept isn’t about preoperative authorization or pre-surgery tests; it’s about how postoperative care is packaged into the surgical payment.