Wiki how do you distinguish Q codes and G codes?

[The Angel Of the South]

Reading through the descriptions of HCPCS level II codes (letter codes), I keep thinking that some of the categories have relatively vague descriptions, covering so much that spme overlap seems inevitable; e.g., that some codes might fit in more than one category. Especially, I notice, Q vs. G. G is "Procedures/professional services (temporary)";
and Q is "Procedures, services, and supplies on a temporary basis." Those are almost the same parameters, except that Q explicitly includes supplies. What's the best way to distinguish them?

 

[thomas7331]

G codes are temporary codes for services that would normally be coded in CPT. These are primarily used by Medicare and are assigned to services when they either want to create a separate code for tracking something that is done for a separate purpose (e.g. a colonoscopy that is done for screening vs. diagnostic), or when they do not agree with the specific language in CPT and need to create a similar but slightly different code description (e.g. prolonged office E/M services). So what you'd find in the G code section would be the types of things that you'd otherwise find in CPT.

Q codes on the other hand are codes for things like drugs, supplies or specialty items, similar to things that you would find other sections of HCPCS. Q codes wouldn't commonly be assigned for professional services or other things that you find in the G code category or in CPT.

Either way, the titles of the categories aren't really of concern - it's the individual code descriptions that are important. There shouldn't be any overlap between any specific codes.

 

[The Angel Of the South]

Thanks, that answered my question.