R45.88: Nonsuicidal self-harm
R45.88, nonsuicidal self-harm, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 5 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 9 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0410 (Group psychotherapy other than of a multiple-family group…), G0411 (Interactive group psychotherapy, in a partial…), G0129 (Occupational therapy services requiring the skills of a…). The articles come from 3 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 R45.88 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0410 | Group psychotherapy other than of a multiple-family group, in a partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient setting, approximately 45 to 50 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| G0411 | Interactive group psychotherapy, in a partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient setting, approximately 45 to 50 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| G0129 | Occupational therapy services requiring the skills of a qualified occupational therapist, furnished as a component of a partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment program, per session (45 minutes or more) | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| G0176 | Activity therapy, such as music, dance, art or play therapies not for recreation, related to the care and treatment of patient's disabling mental health problems, per session (45 minutes or more) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| G0177 | Training and educational services related to the care and treatment of patient's disabling mental health problems per session (45 minutes or more) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| G0017 | Psychotherapy 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 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0018 | Psychotherapy 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 |
| G0451 | Development testing, with interpretation and report, per standardized instrument form | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0255 | Current perception threshold/sensory nerve conduction test, (snct) per limb, any nerve | Non-covered by Medicare | Not covered | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing R45.88
- A56850: Billing and Coding: Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Programs (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33626, L34196
- A57053: Billing and Coding: Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Programs (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33626, L34196
- A57480: Billing and Coding: Psychiatry and Psychology Services (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 4 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33632, L34616
- 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
- A56937: Billing and Coding: Psychiatry and Psychology Services (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33632, L34616
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 R45 diagnoses (Symptoms and signs involving emotional state)
- R45.81 — Low self-esteem
- R45.82 — Worries
- R45.83 — Excessive crying of child, adolescent or adult
- R45.84 — Anhedonia
- R45.850 — Homicidal ideations
- R45.851 — Suicidal ideations
- R45.1 — Restlessness and agitation
- R45.2 — Unhappiness
- R45.5 — Hostility
- R45.6 — Violent behavior
- R45.7 — State of emotional shock and stress, unspecified
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover R45.88 (Nonsuicidal self-harm)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 5 Medicare billing and coding articles list R45.88 as a covered diagnosis for 9 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 R45.88?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0410 (Group psychotherapy other than of a multiple-family group…, 3 articles); G0411 (Interactive group psychotherapy, in a partial…, 3 articles); G0129 (Occupational therapy services requiring the skills of a…, 2 articles); G0176 (Activity therapy, such as music, dance, art or play…, 2 articles); G0177 (Training and educational services related to the care and…, 2 articles). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list R45.88?
A56850 (Billing and Coding: Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Programs); A57053 (Billing and Coding: Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Programs); A57480 (Billing and Coding: Psychiatry and Psychology Services), and 2 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code R45.88?
R45.88 is the ICD-10-CM code for nonsuicidal self-harm, in category R45 (Symptoms and signs involving emotional state), chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0410
- Watch G0410 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0410
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 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup