HCPCS code G9623 describes the documentation of medical reasons for not screening for unhealthy alcohol use. This code is used when a healthcare provider determines that it is not appropriate or necessary to screen a patient for alcohol use due to limited life expectancy or other medical reasons.
1. What is HCPCS G9623?
HCPCS code G9623 is a specific code used in medical coding to identify the documentation of medical reasons for not screening for unhealthy alcohol use. It is important for healthcare providers to accurately use this code when documenting the reasons for not conducting alcohol screening for a patient.
2. Official Description
The official description of HCPCS code G9623 is “Documentation of medical reason(s) for not screening for unhealthy alcohol use (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reasons)”. The short description for this code is “Doc med rsn no scr etoh use”.
3. Procedure
- When using HCPCS code G9623, the healthcare provider should thoroughly document the medical reasons for not screening the patient for unhealthy alcohol use.
- This documentation should include specific details about the patient’s limited life expectancy or other medical reasons that justify the decision not to conduct alcohol screening.
- The healthcare provider should ensure that the documentation is clear, concise, and supports the medical necessity for not screening the patient for unhealthy alcohol use.
4. When to use HCPCS code G9623
HCPCS code G9623 should be used when a healthcare provider determines that it is not appropriate or necessary to screen a patient for unhealthy alcohol use. This may be due to the patient’s limited life expectancy or other medical reasons that make alcohol screening unnecessary or potentially harmful.
5. Billing Guidelines and Documentation Requirements
When billing for HCPCS code G9623, healthcare providers should ensure that the documentation clearly supports the medical reasons for not screening the patient for unhealthy alcohol use. This documentation should be included in the patient’s medical record and should be easily accessible for review if necessary.
6. Historical Information and Code Maintenance
HCPCS code G9623 was added to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System on January 1, 2016. It has a termination date of December 31, 2022. As of January 1, 2023, this code is no longer maintained and should not be used for billing purposes.
7. Medicare and Insurance Coverage
Medicare and other insurance providers may have specific coverage policies for HCPCS code G9623. It is important for healthcare providers to review the coverage guidelines of each individual payer to determine if this code is payable and how it is priced. The pricing indicator code for G9623 is 00, which indicates that the service is not separately priced by Part B.
8. Examples
Here are some examples of when HCPCS code G9623 may be used:
- A patient with a terminal illness and limited life expectancy is not screened for unhealthy alcohol use due to the focus on palliative care.
- A patient with severe liver disease is not screened for alcohol use due to the known risks and potential harm of alcohol consumption in their condition.
- A patient with a documented allergy to alcohol is not screened for unhealthy alcohol use.
- A patient with a history of alcohol abuse who is currently receiving treatment for other medical conditions is not screened for unhealthy alcohol use as it is not the primary focus of their current care.
- A patient with a cognitive impairment that prevents them from providing accurate responses during alcohol screening is not screened for unhealthy alcohol use.
