G36.8: Other specified acute disseminated demyelination

G36.8, other specified acute disseminated demyelination, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 9 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 18 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0153 (Services performed by a qualified speech-language…), G0161 (Services performed by a qualified speech-language…), G0451 (Development testing, with interpretation and report, per…). The articles come from 6 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.

HCPCS Level II codes with G36.8 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
G0153Services performed by a qualified speech-language pathologist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutesCarrier judgment—1
G0161Services performed by a qualified speech-language pathologist, in the home health setting, in the establishment or delivery of a safe and effective speech-language pathology maintenance program, each 15 minutesCarrier judgment—1
G0451Development testing, with interpretation and report, per standardized instrument formCarrier judgment—1
G0017Psychotherapy for crisis furnished in an applicable site of service (any place of service at which the non-facility rate for psychotherapy for crisis services applies, other than the office setting); first 60 minutesCarrier judgment—1
G0018Psychotherapy for crisis furnished in an applicable site of service (any place of service at which the non-facility rate for psychotherapy for crisis services applies, other than the office setting); each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for primary service)Carrier judgment—1
G0560Safety planning interventions, each 20 minutes personally performed by the billing practitioner, including assisting the patient in the identification of the following personalized elements of a safety plan: recognizing warning signs of an impending suicidal or substance use-related crisis; employing internal coping strategies; utilizing social contacts and social settings as a means of distraction from suicidal thoughts or risky substance use; utilizing family members, significant others, caregivers, and/or friends to help resolve the crisis; contacting mental health or substance use disorder professionals or agencies; and making the environment safeCarrier judgment—1
A9585Injection, gadobutrol, 0.1 mlCarrier judgment—1
Q9953Injection, iron-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, per mlSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
G2187Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: head traumaCarrier judgment—1
G2188Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new or change in headache above 50 years of ageCarrier judgment—1
G2189Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: abnormal neurologic examCarrier judgment—1
G2190Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: headache radiating to the neckCarrier judgment—1
G2191Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: positional headachesCarrier judgment—1
G2192Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: temporal headaches in patients over 55 years of ageCarrier judgment—1
G2193Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pre-school children or younger (<6 years of age)Carrier judgment—1
G2194Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pediatric patients with disabilities for which headache is a concern as inferred from behaviorCarrier judgment—1
G2195Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: occipital headache in childrenCarrier judgment—1
G0255Current perception threshold/sensory nerve conduction test, (snct) per limb, any nerveNon-covered by MedicareNot covered5

Medicare policy articles listing G36.8

A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.

Other G36 diagnoses (Other acute disseminated demyelination)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover G36.8 (Other specified acute disseminated demyelination)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 9 Medicare billing and coding articles list G36.8 as a covered diagnosis for 18 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.

Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 G36.8?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0153 (Services performed by a qualified speech-language…, 1 article); G0161 (Services performed by a qualified speech-language…, 1 article); G0451 (Development testing, with interpretation and report, per…, 1 article); G0017 (Psychotherapy for crisis furnished in an applicable site…, 1 article); G0018 (Psychotherapy for crisis furnished in an applicable site…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

Which Medicare policy articles list G36.8?

A53052 (Billing and Coding: Home Health Speech-Language Pathology); A57307 (Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography); A57478 (Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography), and 6 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code G36.8?

G36.8 is the ICD-10-CM code for other specified acute disseminated demyelination, in category G36 (Other acute disseminated demyelination), chapter 6: Diseases of the nervous system.

Next steps

Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.

Chapter 6: Diseases of the nervous system · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup