What is indicated when an "Unrelated Procedure or Service" is performed during the postoperative period?

When an "Unrelated Procedure or Service" is performed during the postoperative period, it suggests that this procedure is sufficiently distinct from the original surgery and is not part of the typical postoperative care for that surgery. Therefore, the full fee for the unrelated procedure can be billed separately. This is because unrelated procedures do not fall under the global surgical package that covers the preoperative and postoperative care associated with the initial surgery. When a procedure is classified as unrelated, it indicates that it can be treated independently, allowing the healthcare provider to bill for it separately without it being impacted by the global period of the first surgery.

For additional context, an unrelated procedure does not imply that it is part of the care associated with the initial surgery (which would fall under bundling), nor does it extend the global period of the original surgery, as the procedures are considered separate in their nature and intent. Thus, option B accurately reflects the billing practices for unrelated services in healthcare.