Which type of coding error is characterized by billing and coding for multiple procedures within one surgery?

The correct answer is unbundling, which refers to the practice of separating services that should be billed together into individual components, resulting in a higher cost for the patient or insurance provider. In the context of surgery, when multiple procedures that are typically performed together are billed individually, this can lead to increased charges that do not accurately reflect the standard pricing for the bundled services. Unbundling is considered unethical and misleading, as it distorts the true cost of care and can impact reimbursements and patient billing.

In contrast, bundling refers to the practice of grouping related procedures together for billing, which can simplify billing processes and potentially lower costs. Global billing covers all services related to a single procedure, typically including pre-, intra-, and post-operative care within one fee, fostering a clear understanding of overall costs. Upcoding involves billing for services at a higher level than actually provided, which also can lead to incorrect reimbursement rates. Understanding these terms is crucial in the healthcare industry to ensure proper coding practices and compliance with billing regulations.