G0168 HCPCS code: Wound closure utilizing tissue adhesive(s) only
G0168 is the HCPCS Level II code for wound closure utilizing tissue adhesive(s) only. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $24.85 per service for G0168 across 38,569 services. Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case. The NCCI unit limit is 2 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume rose 18% from 2022 to 2024 (32,705 to 38,569 services). In 2024, about 21,703 clinicians billed Medicare for G0168 for 37,480 beneficiaries; California, Florida, Texas accounted for 31% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | G codes — Procedures and professional services (temporary) |
| Coverage code | C — Carrier judgment |
| Pricing indicator | 00 — Not separately priced by Medicare |
| BETOS category | P6C |
| Added | 2000-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 2000-01-01 |
Who bills G0168 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 21,703 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 37,480 |
| States with claims | 52 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (California, Florida, Texas) | 31% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for G0168, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 32,705 | 31,817 | $34.76 | $26.00 |
| 2023 | 32,986 | 32,181 | $35.01 | $26.03 |
| 2024 | 38,569 | 37,480 | $33.29 | $24.85 |
States with the most G0168 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| California | 4,988 | $35.12 |
| Florida | 4,131 | $23.42 |
| Texas | 2,668 | $22.03 |
| New York | 2,420 | $37.22 |
| Ohio | 1,505 | $13.80 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 2 | Clinical: Data |
| practitioner claims | 2 | Clinical: Data |
What changed for G0168
- 2000-01-01: G0168 added to HCPCS Level II
- Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01
Frequently asked questions
What is HCPCS code G0168?
G0168 is the HCPCS Level II code for wound closure utilizing tissue adhesive(s) only. Short descriptor: "Wound closure by adhesive".
How much does Medicare pay for G0168?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $24.85 per service (average allowed $33.29).
Does Medicare cover G0168?
Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.
How many units of G0168 can be billed per day?
2 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related G01 codes
- G0101 — Cervical or vaginal cancer screening; pelvic and clinical breast examination
- G0102 — Prostate cancer screening; digital rectal examination
- G0103 — Prostate cancer screening; prostate specific antigen test (PSA)
- G0104 — Colorectal cancer screening; flexible sigmoidoscopy
- G0105 — Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk
- G0106 — Colorectal cancer screening; alternative to g0104, screening sigmoidoscopy, barium enema
- G0108 — Diabetes outpatient self-management training services, individual, per 30 minutes
- G0109 — Diabetes outpatient self-management training services, group session (2 or more), per 30 minutes
- G0117 — Glaucoma screening for high risk patients furnished by an optometrist or ophthalmologist
- G0118 — Glaucoma screening for high risk patient furnished under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist
- G0120 — Colorectal cancer screening; alternative to g0105, screening colonoscopy, barium enema.
- G0121 — Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk
Building a device that would bill under a code like this? Caduvo matches a device description to HCPCS/CPT codes, Medicare coverage and payment, and the FDA pathway in one report.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0168
- Watch G0168 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0168
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.