February 2, 2017

Question:
My group has a policy that orthopaedic surgeons deal with patient’s post-operative pain for 6 weeks and then they are referred to the physiatrists in the group to manage all on going pain. Can the physiatrist bill for these E/M visits since they are a different specialty even though the patient is in the global period?

Answer:
Post-operative pain management is included in the global for 90 days. If it is the groups policy for a pain physician to see all post-op patients, this will most likely be seen as part of the global package and not separately billable, even though a physician of a different specialty is providing the pain management.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 02/02/17.