G9946 — Back pain was not measured by the visual analog scale (vas) or numeric pain scale at one year (9 to 15 months) postoperatively
G9946 is a HCPCS Level II code for back pain was not measured by the visual analog scale (vas) or numeric pain scale at one year (9 to 15 months) postoperatively. 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
Want the dollar amount for your locality? The fee calculator applies your GPCI and the current conversion factor.
The CMS record for G9946
- Long descriptor
- Back pain was not measured by the visual analog scale (vas) or numeric pain scale at one year (9 to 15 months) postoperatively
- Short descriptor
- Bk pain no vas
- Added
- January 1, 2018
- 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 G9946
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If G9946 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- G9938Patients aged 66 or older in institutional special needs plans (snp) or residing in long-term care with pos code 32, 33, 34, 54, or 56 for more than 90 consecutive days during the six months prior to the measurement period through december 31 of the measurement period
- G9939Pathologists/dermatopathologists is the same clinician who performed the biopsy
- G9940Documentation of medical reason(s) for not on a statin (e.g., pregnancy, in vitro fertilization, clomiphene rx, esrd, cirrhosis, muscular pain and disease during the measurement period or prior year)
- G9941Back pain was measured by the visual analog scale (vas) within three months preoperatively and at three months (6 - 20 weeks) postoperativelyterminated
- G9942Patient had any additional spine procedures performed on the same date as the lumbar discectomy/laminectomyterminated
- G9943Back pain was not measured by the visual analog scale (vas) or numeric pain scale at three months (6 - 20 weeks) postoperatively
- G9944Back pain was measured by the visual analog scale (vas) within three months preoperatively and at one year (9 to 15 months) postoperativelyterminated
- G9945Patient had cancer, acute fracture or infection related to the lumbar spine or patient had neuromuscular, idiopathic or congenital lumbar scoliosis
- G9947Leg pain was measured by the visual analog scale (vas) within three months preoperatively and at three months (6 to 20 weeks) postoperativelyterminated
- G9948Patient had any additional spine procedures performed on the same date as the lumbar discectomy/laminectomyterminated
- G9949Leg pain was not measured by the visual analog scale (vas) or numeric pain scale at three months (6 - 20 weeks) postoperatively
- G9954Patient exhibits 2 or more risk factors for post-operative vomiting
- G9955Cases in which an inhalational anesthetic is used only for induction
- G9956Patient received combination therapy consisting of at least two prophylactic pharmacologic anti-emetic agents of different classes preoperatively and/or intraoperatively
- G9957Documentation of medical reason for not receiving combination therapy consisting of at least two prophylactic pharmacologic anti-emetic agents of different classes preoperatively and/or intraoperatively (e.g., intolerance or other medical reason)
- G9958Patient did not receive combination therapy consisting of at least two prophylactic pharmacologic anti-emetic agents of different classes preoperatively and/or intraoperatively
Questions about G9946
What is HCPCS code G9946?
G9946 is a HCPCS Level II code for back pain was not measured by the visual analog scale (vas) or numeric pain scale at one year (9 to 15 months) postoperatively. It sits in the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section.
Does Medicare cover G9946?
The CMS HCPCS file marks G9946 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 G9946 paid under the physician fee schedule?
G9946 carries PFS status code M. Measurement code. Used for reporting purposes only; never paid.