Fracture Care Timeline: Understanding the Global Period

The global period for fracture care in the United States lasts until the fracture has achieved maximum medical improvement, or MMI. This means that the fracture has healed as much as it is going to and that any remaining symptoms or disability are expected to be permanent.

The global period for fracture care typically lasts about six months but can be shorter or longer depending on the individual case. For example, fractures that involve complications, such as an infection or a nonunion, will typically have a longer global period.

Once the global period ends, you may still need ongoing medical care for your fracture, but this care will no longer be considered global and will be billed differently.