G56.31: Lesion of radial nerve, right upper limb
G56.31, lesion of radial nerve, right upper limb, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 10 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 14 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0283 (Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas…), G0453 (Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from…), G0281 (Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more…). The articles come from 5 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 G56.31 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0283 | Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas for indication(s) other than wound care, as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| G0453 | Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from outside the operating room (remote or nearby), per patient, (attention directed exclusively to one patient) each 15 minutes (list in addition to primary procedure) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0281 | Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more areas, for chronic stage iii and stage iv pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30 days of conventional care, as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| G0329 | Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic stage iii and stage iv pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers and venous stasis ulcers not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30 days of conventional care as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| G0152 | Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0158 | Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist assistant in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0160 | Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist, in the home health setting, in the establishment or delivery of a safe and effective occupational therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2169 | Services performed by an occupational therapist assistant in the home health setting in the delivery of a safe and effective occupational therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2010 | Remote evaluation of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2250 | Remote assessment of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2251 | Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a qualified health care professional who cannot report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5-10 minutes of clinical discussion | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0151 | Services performed by a qualified physical therapist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0255 | Current perception threshold/sensory nerve conduction test, (snct) per limb, any nerve | Non-covered by Medicare | Not covered | 5 |
| G0282 | Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more areas, for wound care other than described in g0281 | Non-covered by Medicare | Not covered | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing G56.31
- A56034: Billing and Coding: Nerve Blockade for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Neuropathy (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L35456
- A57604: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34623, L35003
- A57307: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A57478: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A54969: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A57668: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A56619: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A53057: Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy (Palmetto GBA (HHH MAC); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34560
- A53064: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34427
- A57311: Billing and Coding: Physical Therapy - Home Health (CGS Administrators, LLC (HHH MAC); 7 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33942
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 G56 diagnoses (Mononeuropathies of upper limb)
- G56.32 — Lesion of radial nerve, left upper limb
- G56.33 — Lesion of radial nerve, bilateral upper limbs
- G56.01 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
- G56.02 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
- G56.03 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
- G56.11 — Other lesions of median nerve, right upper limb
- G56.12 — Other lesions of median nerve, left upper limb
- G56.13 — Other lesions of median nerve, bilateral upper limbs
- G56.21 — Lesion of ulnar nerve, right upper limb
- G56.22 — Lesion of ulnar nerve, left upper limb
- G56.23 — Lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs
- G56.41 — Causalgia of right upper limb
- G56.42 — Causalgia of left upper limb
- G56.43 — Causalgia of bilateral upper limbs
- G56.81 — Other specified mononeuropathies of right upper limb
- G56.82 — Other specified mononeuropathies of left upper limb
- G56.83 — Other specified mononeuropathies of bilateral upper limbs
- G56.91 — Unspecified mononeuropathy of right upper limb
- G56.92 — Unspecified mononeuropathy of left upper limb
- G56.93 — Unspecified mononeuropathy of bilateral upper limbs
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover G56.31 (Lesion of radial nerve, right upper limb)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 10 Medicare billing and coding articles list G56.31 as a covered diagnosis for 14 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 G56.31?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0283 (Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas…, 4 articles); G0453 (Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from…, 1 article); G0281 (Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more…, 2 articles); G0329 (Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic…, 2 articles); G0152 (Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list G56.31?
A56034 (Billing and Coding: Nerve Blockade for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Neuropathy); A57604 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing); A57307 (Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography), and 7 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code G56.31?
G56.31 is the ICD-10-CM code for lesion of radial nerve, right upper limb, in category G56 (Mononeuropathies of upper limb), chapter 6: Diseases of the nervous system.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0283
- Watch G0283 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0283
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