G8571 — Development of deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitis within 30 days postoperatively
G8571 is a HCPCS Level II code for development of deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitis within 30 days postoperatively. It belongs to the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section. It was terminated on December 31, 2020 and is not valid on new claims.
This code has been terminated
CMS terminated G8571 on December 31, 2020. It stays in the file as history — a claim you are auditing from before that date may legitimately carry it — but it must not appear on a new claim. The adjacent codes below are the usual place to look for its replacement.
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.
The CMS record for G8571
- Long descriptor
- Development of deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitis within 30 days postoperatively
- Short descriptor
- Ster wd ifx 30 d postop
- Added
- January 1, 2010
- Terminated
- December 31, 2020
- BETOS
- M5D
- 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.
When CMS retired it.
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 G8571
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If G8571 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- G8563Patient not referred to a physician (preferably a physician with training in disorders of the ear) for an otologic evaluation, reason not given
- G8564Patient was referred to a physician (preferably a physician with training in disorders of the ear) for an otologic evaluation, reason not specified)
- G8565Verification and documentation of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss
- G8566Patient is not eligible for the "referral for otologic evaluation for sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss" measure
- G8567Patient does not have verification and documentation of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss
- G8568Patient was not referred to a physician (preferably a physician with training in disorders of the ear) for an otologic evaluation, reason not given
- G8569Prolonged postoperative intubation (> 24 hrs) required
- G8570Prolonged postoperative intubation (> 24 hrs) not required
- G8572No deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitisterminated
- G8573Stroke following isolated cabg surgeryterminated
- G8574No stroke following isolated cabg surgeryterminated
- G8575Developed postoperative renal failure or required dialysis
- G8576No postoperative renal failure/dialysis not required
- G8577Re-exploration required due to mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, unplanned coronary artery intervention (native, vessel, graft, or both), valve dysfunction, aortic reintervention, or other cardiac reason
- G8578Re-exploration not required due to mediastinal bleeding with or without tamponade, unplanned coronary artery intervention (native, vessel, graft, or both), valve dysfunction, aortic reintervention, or other cardiac reason
- G8579Antiplatelet medication at dischargeterminated
Questions about G8571
What is HCPCS code G8571?
G8571 is a HCPCS Level II code for development of deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitis within 30 days postoperatively. It sits in the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section.
Does Medicare cover G8571?
The CMS HCPCS file marks G8571 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.
Is G8571 still valid?
No. G8571 was terminated on December 31, 2020 and should not be used on new claims.