I receive the CME Online posts when they send them out. On March 3rd, Dr. Warshaw said that a surgical post op shoe is included in the minor surgical package, this can't be true is it?
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FACTS: Not sure where he got the "post-op shoes" is included in minor surgery global portion, but he made that one up. The most up to date rules are found in 2 places.
"MLN907166 November 2024", the most recent CMS version. Looking at current post op package actual file, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln907166-global-surgery-booklet.pdf, This is the policy for all surgeries not just "minor".
If want to validate this further look at Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 12 - Physicians/Nonphysician Practitioners. Table of Contents (Rev. 13012; Issued: 12-19-24, https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/clm104c12.pdf#page=78
FACTS:
What services does Medicare include in the global surgery payment? We include these services in the global surgery payment when added to surgery:
● Pre-operative visits after the decision to operate. For major procedures, this includes pre-operative visits the day before the surgery. For minor procedures, this includes pre-operative visits on the surgery day.
● Intra-operative services, normally a necessary part of a surgical procedure.
● All other medical or surgical services the surgeon provides during the post-operative period because the complications don’t require more trips to the operating room.
● Follow-up post-operative recovery period visits.
● Post-surgical patient pain management.
● Supplies (except exclusions).
● Miscellaneous services, like dressing changes, local incision care, operative pack removal, cutaneous sutures and staples removal, lines, wires, tubes, drains, casts, and splints; insertion, irrigation, and urinary catheter removal, routine peripheral intravenous lines, nasogastric and rectal tubes; and tracheostomy tube changes and removals.
HCPCS Code L3260-Surgical boot/shoe, each it is a DMERC item and is neither a cast nor a splint.
Furthermore CMS does not have just a minor surgical global policy it is a one for all called "global surgery" policy.