G2196 — Patient identified as an unhealthy alcohol user when screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method
G2196 is a HCPCS Level II code for patient identified as an unhealthy alcohol user when screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method. It belongs to the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section. Whether Medicare pays it depends on the coverage rule below.
Medicare coverage: Carrier judgment
Coverage is decided by your Medicare contractor, not by national policy. Whether this is paid depends on the LCD for your jurisdiction and on what the documentation supports.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q3-Jul. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
Physician fee schedule statusM
Measurement code. Used for reporting purposes only; never paid.
Global period: XXX
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The CMS record for G2196
- Long descriptor
- Patient identified as an unhealthy alcohol user when screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method
- Short descriptor
- Screen unhlthy etoh use
- Added
- January 1, 2021
- BETOS
- Z2
- Pricing indicator
- 00 — Not priced by Part B
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Service not separately priced by Part B — not covered, bundled into another service, or used by Part A only.
Codes adjacent to G2196
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If G2196 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- G2188Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new or change in headache above 50 years of age
- G2189Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: abnormal neurologic exam
- G2190Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: headache radiating to the neck
- G2191Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: positional headaches
- G2192Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: temporal headaches in patients over 55 years of age
- G2193Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pre-school children or younger (<6 years of age)
- G2194Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pediatric patients with disabilities for which headache is a concern as inferred from behavior
- G2195Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: occipital headache in children
- G2197Patient screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method and not identified as an unhealthy alcohol user
- G2198Documentation of medical reason(s) for not screening for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reasons)terminated
- G2199Patient not screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method
- G2200Patient identified as an unhealthy alcohol user received brief counseling
- G2201Documentation of medical reason(s) for not providing brief counseling (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reasons)terminated
- G2202Patient did not receive brief counseling if identified as an unhealthy alcohol user
- G2203Documentation of medical reason(s) for not providing brief counseling if identified as an unhealthy alcohol user (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reasons)terminated
- G2204Patients between 45 and 85 years of age who received a screening colonoscopy during the performance period
Questions about G2196
What is HCPCS code G2196?
G2196 is a HCPCS Level II code for patient identified as an unhealthy alcohol user when screened for unhealthy alcohol use using a systematic screening method. It sits in the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section.
Does Medicare cover G2196?
The CMS HCPCS file marks G2196 as "Carrier judgment". Coverage is decided by your Medicare contractor, not by national policy. Whether this is paid depends on the LCD for your jurisdiction and on what the documentation supports.
How is G2196 paid under the physician fee schedule?
G2196 carries PFS status code M. Measurement code. Used for reporting purposes only; never paid.