HCPCS G0443 is the Medicare brief face-to-face behavioral counseling for alcohol misuse, delivered in a 15-minute session following a positive screen.
When to use G0443
Use G0443 when a Medicare patient screens positive for alcohol misuse and receives structured brief counseling. It is distinct from the screening code G0442 and the SBIRT codes.
How to bill it
Report per 15-minute counseling session, up to four times per year for a qualifying patient.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing counseling (G0443) with screening (G0442).
- Exceeding the four-times-per-year limit.
Frequently asked questions
How is G0443 different from G0442?
G0442 is the annual screening; G0443 is the brief counseling delivered to patients who screen positive.
How often can G0443 be billed?
Up to four times per year for a Medicare patient who screens positive for alcohol misuse.