In coding, what are "bundled procedures"?

Bundled procedures refer to multiple charges that are combined into a single code for billing purposes. This coding practice is used to simplify the billing process for a group of related services that are typically provided together. By bundling these procedures, healthcare providers can reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency.

The bundled approach often applies to surgical procedures, where multiple components of care—such as pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative services—are encapsulated within one comprehensive code. This typically reflects the understanding that these services are part of a single treatment episode.

In contrast, coding individual services billed separately does not represent a bundled approach, as each service would be accounted for with its own code. A collection of unrelated services and services requiring separate authorizations also do not align with the definition of bundled procedures. Instead, they denote either distinct billing practices or regulatory requirements related to separate forms of consent or insurance authorization.