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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

G0436-G0437 Join Smoking Cessation Options

Published on Tue Nov 09, 2010

Question: I heard we're supposed to use G codes instead of CPT codes for tobacco cessation counseling in 2011. Is this true? Mississippi SubscriberAnswer: Yes and no. Codes 99406-99407 (Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling visit ...) will still be available in 2011 for patients symptomatic of tobacco-related diseases. But Medicare has introduced two new G codes for tobacco cessation counseling for asymptomatic patients, and you should use them for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, 2011:G0436 -- Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling visit for the asymptomatic patient; intermediate, greater than 3 minutes, up to 10 minutesG0437 -- Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling visit for the asymptomatic patient; intensive, greater than 10 minutes.Explanation: Previously, Medicare covered tobacco cessation counseling for patients with diseases related to tobacco use (or signs and symptoms of such a disease). Now, for services on or after Aug. 25, 2010, Medicare covers counseling to prevent tobacco [...]
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