G8601 HCPCS code: Iv thrombolytic therapy not initiated within 4.5 hours (<= 270 minutes) of time last known well for reasons documented by clinician (e.g. patient enrolled in clinical trial for stroke, patient admitted for elective carotid intervention)

G8601 is the HCPCS Level II code for iv thrombolytic therapy not initiated within 4.5 hours (<= 270 minutes) of time last known well for reasons documented by clinician (e.g. patient enrolled in clinical trial for stroke, patient admitted for elective carotid intervention). Its Medicare coverage code is C (Carrier judgment): Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.

Code details

What changed for G8601

• 2010-01-01: G8601 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 G8601?

G8601 is the HCPCS Level II code for iv thrombolytic therapy not initiated within 4.5 hours (<= 270 minutes) of time last known well for reasons documented by clinician (e.g. patient enrolled in clinical trial for stroke, patient admitted for elective carotid intervention). Short descriptor: "No elig tpa init w/in 4.5 hr".

Does Medicare cover G8601?

Coverage code C — Carrier judgment. Coverage is decided by the Medicare contractor (MAC) case by case.

Related G86 codes

• G8600 — Iv thrombolytic therapy initiated within 4.5 hours (<= 270 minutes) of time last known well
• G8602 — Iv thrombolytic therapy not initiated within 4.5 hours (<= 270 minutes) of time last known well, reason not given
• G8627 — Surgical procedure performed within 30 days following cataract surgery for major complications (e.g., retained nuclear fragments, endophthalmitis, dislocated or wrong power iol, retinal detachment, or wound dehiscence)
• G8628 — Surgical procedure not performed within 30 days following cataract surgery for major complications (e.g., retained nuclear fragments, endophthalmitis, dislocated or wrong power iol, retinal detachment, or wound dehiscence)
• G8629 — Documentation of order for prophylactic parenteral antibiotic to be given within one hour (if fluoroquinolone or vancomycin, two hours) prior to surgical incision (or start of procedure when no incision is required)
• G8630 — Documentation that administration of prophylactic parenteral antibiotics was initiated within one hour (if fluoroquinolone or vancomycin, two hours) prior to surgical incision (or start of procedure when no incision is required), as ordered
• G8631 — Clinician documented that patient was not an eligible candidate for ordering prophylactic parenteral antibiotics to be given within one hour (if fluoroquinolone or vancomycin, two hours) prior to surgical incision (or start of procedure when no incision is required)
• G8632 — Prophylactic parenteral antibiotics were not ordered to be given or given within one hour (if fluoroquinolone or vancomycin, two hours) prior to the surgical incision (or start of procedure when no incision is required), reason not given
• G8633 — Pharmacologic therapy (other than minerals/vitamins) for osteoporosis prescribed
• G8634 — Clinician documented patient not an eligible candidate to receive pharmacologic therapy for osteoporosis
• G8635 — Pharmacologic therapy for osteoporosis was not prescribed, reason not given
• G8645 — I intend to report the asthma measures group

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Next steps

• Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G8601
• Watch G8601 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
• Build a full Medicare revenue model for G8601

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.

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