Summary & Overview
HCPCS G8544: Intent to Report CABG Measures Group
HCPCS Level II code G8544 denotes the intent to report the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) measures group, a designation used to identify submission of quality and performance measures tied to CABG procedures. Nationally, standardized reporting of surgical quality measures supports benchmarking, regulatory compliance, and payer reporting requirements for cardiac surgical care.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the code's purpose, which payers recognize the reporting intent, and the typical clinical setting for reporting. The publication summarizes available benchmarks and reporting expectations, highlights relevant policy updates affecting CABG measure submission, and provides clinical context for why CABG-specific measures are tracked.
The content outlines what data and reporting elements are commonly associated with CABG measures reporting, clarifies the usual site of service for these reports, and indicates where input data were not provided. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This summary is intended for health system administrators, compliance leads, and coding professionals seeking a concise national-level briefing on HCPCS Level II code G8544 and its role in CABG quality reporting.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code G8544 indicates an intent to report the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) measures group. This entry represents a reporting designation used to signal that a provider or facility will submit performance or quality measures related to coronary artery bypass graft procedures.
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Service type: Quality reporting / measures reporting associated with CABG services
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Typical site of service: Inpatient hospital setting where coronary artery bypass graft surgery is performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 65-year-old male with progressive exertional angina and multi-vessel coronary artery disease identified on coronary angiography. He has failed maximal medical therapy and is evaluated by a cardiothoracic surgery team for coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperative workup includes transthoracic echocardiography, coronary angiography, cardiac catheterization, baseline labs, and anesthesia evaluation. The operating room encounter involves the cardiothoracic surgeon, anesthesiologist, perfusionist (if on-pump CABG), and nursing staff. Postoperative care includes intensive care unit monitoring, chest tube management, telemetry, anticoagulation management, and cardiac rehabilitation referral. Documentation elements supporting reporting of the CABG measures group include indication for surgery, number and targets of grafts performed, use of internal mammary artery or saphenous vein grafts, cardiopulmonary bypass use, intraoperative findings, and perioperative risk and outcomes.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the day of a procedure | Use when a distinct E/M visit is documented on the same day as the CABG operative encounter |
59 |