In the context of procedural coding, what does "bundling" refer to?

Bundling in procedural coding refers to the practice of grouping related services into one code. This approach streamlines billing and improves efficiency by consolidating several related procedures or services that are typically performed together into a single comprehensive code. This can be beneficial as it often reduces the administrative burden of billing numerous individual services separately and reflects the way services are typically delivered in a clinical setting.

For instance, if a patient undergoes multiple related procedures during a single visit, bundling allows healthcare providers to bill for those services as one complete package rather than having to itemize each individual procedure separately. This not only simplifies the billing process but can also lead to cost savings for both providers and patients.

Understanding the concept of bundling is crucial for accurate coding and billing practices, as well as for compliance with regulations regarding healthcare reimbursement.