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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProcedures / Professional ServicesHCPCS hcpcs-g0378-hospital-observation-service-hourly
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    HCPCS G0378: Hospital Observation Service, Per Hour

    HCPCS Level II code G0378 denotes hospital observation services billed per hour, describing time-based observation care provided to patients who require monitoring but do not meet inpatient admission criteria; the service type is observation care, and the typical site of service is an acute care hospital observation unit or similar inpatient-ward setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Minimally Invasive Procedures - Medical Policy, Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old male presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and mild chest pain. After initial evaluation including history, physical exam, ECG, chest X-ray, and cardiac biomarkers, treating clinicians determine the patient does not meet inpatient admission criteria but requires continued monitoring and serial testing. The patient is placed in the hospital observation unit under an observation order. Nursing monitors vital signs, oxygen saturation, and telemetry as indicated. Serial cardiac enzymes and repeat ECGs are scheduled at intervals over the next several hours. A hospitalist documents hourly reassessments and orders imaging or specialty consults as needed. Billing is reported per hour using G0378 for the duration of observation services rendered while the patient remains under observation status in the hospital setting.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    93000Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and reportOften performed at initial evaluation and during observation for chest pain or arrhythmia monitoring.
    80061Lipid panelCommon laboratory panel ordered during cardiac evaluation in observation.
    84484Troponin, quantitativeSerial troponin testing is commonly performed during observation for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
    71046Radiologic examination, chest; 2 viewsChest X-ray performed on presentation and sometimes repeated during observation for respiratory complaints.
    99223Initial hospital care, typically 70 minutes or moreMay be used if inpatient admission occurs after observation; informs workflow transition from observation to inpatient care.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    207RH0000X
    2080P0207X
    207LP2900X
    207K00000X
    2081S0010X
    207RP1002X
    207ZP0213X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    D50.9Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E87.6Hypokalemia
    F32.ADepression, unspecified
    F41.9Anxiety disorder, unspecified
    G40.909Epilepsy, unspecified, not intractable, without status epilepticus
    I10Essential (primary) hypertension
    I21.3ST elevation (STEMI) myocardial infarction of unspecified site
    I48.91Unspecified atrial fibrillation

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Minimally Invasive Procedures - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactionpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for disorders of gut-brain interactionpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactionpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal IncontinenceCigna2026-10-15
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)Premera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Gastroesophageal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Services and ProceduresColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-G9490-HOME-ASSESSMENT-NON-HOMEBOUND

    HCPCS G9490: Home Visit Patient Assessment for Non-Homebound Beneficiary

    HCPCS-G0008-INFLUENZA-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0008: Administration of Influenza Virus Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0009-PNEUMOCOCCAL-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0009: Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0010-HEPATITIS-B-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0010: Administration of Hepatitis B Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0011-PREP-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION-ADHERENCE

    HCPCS G0011: Individual PrEP Counseling, HIV Risk Assessment

    HCPCS-G0012-PRE-EXPOSURE-PROPHYLAXIS-INJECTION-HIV-PREVENTION

    HCPCS G0012: Injection of PrEP Drug for HIV Prevention

    HCPCS-G0013-PREP-INDIVIDUAL-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION

    HCPCS G0013: Individual PrEP Counseling by Clinical Staff

    HCPCS-G0017-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-FIRST-60-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0017: Psychotherapy for Crisis, First 60 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0018-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-ADDITIONAL-30-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0018: Psychotherapy for Crisis, Additional 30 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0019-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-INTEGRATION-SDOH-CARE-COORDINATION

    HCPCS G0019: Community Health Integration, Person-Centered Assessment

    Showing 1–10 of 1996

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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