HCPCS G0397 is the Medicare SBIRT code used when an alcohol and/or substance misuse structured assessment and brief intervention exceeds 30 minutes.
When to use G0397
Use G0397 for Medicare patients whose total SBIRT service exceeds 30 minutes. The 15–30 minute tier is G0396, and the CPT equivalent for non-Medicare payers is 99409.
How to bill it
Report once when the structured assessment and intervention exceeds 30 minutes.
Common pitfalls
- Using G0397 for a 15–30 minute service (use G0396 instead).
- Treating G0397 as a per-15-minute add-on rather than a time tier.
Frequently asked questions
Is G0397 an add-on code?
No. G0397 is the higher time tier used when the SBIRT service exceeds 30 minutes; it is reported instead of, not in addition to, G0396.
What is the CPT equivalent?
For non-Medicare payers, the equivalent is 99408 plus 99409 for the time over 30 minutes.