Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for counseling if they:
- Screen positive (those who misuse alcohol but whose levels or patterns of alcohol consumption do not meet criteria for alcohol dependence)
- Are competent and alert at the time counseling is provided
- Get counseling from qualified primary care physicians or other primary care practitioners in a primary care setting
HCPCS/CPT code
- G0442 – Annual alcohol misuse screening, five to 15 minutes
- G0443 – Brief face-to-face behavioral counseling for alcohol misuse, 15 minutes (four times per year for those who screen positive)
Frequency
- Annually for G0442 (screening)
- For those who screen positive, four times per year for G0443 (counseling)
Deductible and coinsurance are waived for these services.
References