G8861 — Within the past 2 years, central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa) ordered and documented, review of systems and medication history or pharmacologic therapy (other than minerals/vitamins) for osteoporosis prescribed
G8861 is a HCPCS Level II code for within the past 2 years, central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa) ordered and documented, review of systems and medication history or pharmacologic therapy (other than minerals/vitamins) for osteoporosis prescribed. It belongs to the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section. It was terminated on December 31, 2019 and is not valid on new claims.
This code has been terminated
CMS terminated G8861 on December 31, 2019. 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 G8861
- Long descriptor
- Within the past 2 years, central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa) ordered and documented, review of systems and medication history or pharmacologic therapy (other than minerals/vitamins) for osteoporosis prescribed
- Short descriptor
- Dxa ordered for osteo
- Added
- January 1, 2012
- Terminated
- December 31, 2019
- 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.
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 G8861
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If G8861 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- 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
- G8860Patients who have received dose of corticosteroids greater than or equal to 10mg/day for 60 or greater consecutive daysterminated
- G8862Patients not receiving corticosteroids greater than or equal to 10mg/day for 60 or greater consecutive daysterminated
- G8863Patients not assessed for risk of bone loss, reason not given
- G8864Pneumococcal vaccine administered or previously received
- G8865Documentation of medical reason(s) for not administering or previously receiving pneumococcal vaccine (e.g., patient allergic reaction, potential adverse drug reaction)
- G8866Documentation of patient reason(s) for not administering or previously receiving pneumococcal vaccine (e.g., patient refusal)
- G8867Pneumococcal vaccine not administered or previously received, reason not given
- G8868Patients receiving a first course of anti-tnf therapyterminated
- G8869Patient has documented immunity to hepatitis b and initiating anti-tnf therapy
Questions about G8861
What is HCPCS code G8861?
G8861 is a HCPCS Level II code for within the past 2 years, central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa) ordered and documented, review of systems and medication history or pharmacologic therapy (other than minerals/vitamins) for osteoporosis prescribed. It sits in the Procedures and Professional Services (Temporary) section.
Does Medicare cover G8861?
The CMS HCPCS file marks G8861 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 G8861 still valid?
No. G8861 was terminated on December 31, 2019 and should not be used on new claims.