G8851 — Adherence to therapy was assessed at least annually through an objective informatics system or through self-reporting (if objective reporting is not available, documented)
G8851 is a HCPCS Level II code for adherence to therapy was assessed at least annually through an objective informatics system or through self-reporting (if objective reporting is not available, documented). 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 G8851
- Long descriptor
- Adherence to therapy was assessed at least annually through an objective informatics system or through self-reporting (if objective reporting is not available, documented)
- Short descriptor
- Adhere tx assess at lst ann
- Added
- January 1, 2012
- BETOS
- M5B
- 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 G8851
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If G8851 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- G8842Apnea hypopnea index (ahi), respiratory disturbance index (rdi) or respiratory event index (rei) documented or measured within 2 months after initial evaluation for suspected obstructive sleep apnea
- G8843Documentation of reason(s) for not measuring an apnea hypopnea index (ahi), a respiratory disturbance index (rdi), or a respiratory event index (rei) within 2 months after initial evaluation for suspected obstructive sleep apnea (e.g., medical, neurological, or psychiatric disease that prohibits successful completion of a sleep study, patients for whom a sleep study would present a bigger risk than benefit or would pose an undue burden, dementia, patients previously diagnosed with osa and severity assessed by another provider, patients who decline ahi/rdi/rei measurement, patients who had a financial reason for not completing testing, test was ordered but not completed, patients decline because their insurance (payer) does not cover the expense)
- G8844Apnea hypopnea index (ahi), respiratory disturbance index (rdi), or respiratory event index (rei) not documented or measured within 2 months after initial evaluation for suspected obstructive sleep apnea, reason not given
- G8845Positive airway pressure therapy prescribed
- G8846Moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea hypopnea index (ahi) or respiratory disturbance index (rdi) of 15 or greater)
- G8848Mild obstructive sleep apnea (apnea hypopnea index (ahi) or respiratory disturbance index (rdi) of less than 15)terminated
- G8849Documentation of reason(s) for not prescribing positive airway pressure therapy (e.g., patient unable to tolerate, alternative therapies use, patient declined, financial, insurance coverage)
- G8850Positive airway pressure therapy not prescribed, reason not given
- G8852Positive airway pressure therapy was prescribedterminated
- G8853Positive airway pressure therapy not prescribedterminated
- G8854Documentation of reason(s) for not objectively reporting adherence to evidence-based therapy (e.g., patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal or advanced disease with an expected life span of less than 6 months, patients who decline therapy, patients who do not return for follow-up at least annually, patients unable to access/afford therapy, patient's insurance will not cover therapy)
- G8855Adherence to therapy was not assessed at least annually through an objective informatics system or through self-reporting (if objective reporting is not available), reason not given
- G8856Referral to a physician for an otologic evaluation performed
- G8857Patient is not eligible for the referral for otologic evaluation measure (e.g., patients who are already under the care of a physician for acute or chronic dizziness)
- G8858Referral to a physician for an otologic evaluation not performed, reason not given
- G8859Patient receiving corticosteroids greater than or equal to 10mg/day for 60 or greater consecutive daysterminated
Questions about G8851
What is HCPCS code G8851?
G8851 is a HCPCS Level II code for adherence to therapy was assessed at least annually through an objective informatics system or through self-reporting (if objective reporting is not available, documented). It sits in the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section.
Does Medicare cover G8851?
The CMS HCPCS file marks G8851 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 G8851 paid under the physician fee schedule?
G8851 carries PFS status code M. Measurement code. Used for reporting purposes only; never paid.