Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProcedures / Professional ServicesHCPCS hcpcs-g8979-mobility-walking-moving-around-assessment
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    HCPCS G8979: Mobility Assessment for Walking & Moving Around Functional Limitation

    HCPCS Level II code G8979 documents functional status for mobility: walking & moving around, capturing projected goal status at the start of a therapy episode, at reporting intervals, and at discharge; this is a functional status assessment typically associated with therapy services (physical therapy/occupational therapy) provided in outpatient clinic, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, or skilled nursing settings to track changes in a patient’s walking and mobility ability over the course of care.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for hcpcs G8979 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing G8979 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 78-year-old patient recovering from a left total hip arthroplasty is admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for intensive physical therapy. At the outset of the therapy episode the treating physical therapist performs a standardized functional mobility assessment focused on walking and moving around to document baseline limitations, establish projected goal status, and set measurable mobility goals. The assessment captures gait distance, assistive device needs, balance, stair negotiation, and transfers. Progress is reassessed at regular reporting intervals (for example, weekly or per facility reporting policy) and again at discharge or end of the therapy episode. The therapist documents objective measures (e.g., gait speed, 6-minute walk distance, Timed Up and Go), the projected functional goal at discharge, any changes in assistive device or supervision level, and barriers to achieving mobility goals (pain, cardiopulmonary limitations, wound restrictions). This documentation supports functional outcome reporting for the mobility domain associated with billing code G8979 and informs interdisciplinary discharge planning, durable medical equipment recommendations, and home safety interventions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97161Physical therapy evaluation, low complexityUsed at the start of an episode for baseline examination; complements mobility status documentation required for G8979.
    97162Physical therapy evaluation, moderate complexityUsed when comorbidities or multiple impairments require a more detailed PT evaluation alongside mobility goal-setting.
    97110Therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, each 15 minutesDelivered during the therapy episode after the mobility assessment to address deficits identified in G8979.
    97112Neuromuscular reeducation of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and proprioceptionCommonly provided to improve gait and balance following the mobility assessment documented with G8979.
    97530Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contactFunctional task practice (transfers, gait training) performed after baseline mobility assessment and during interval reporting.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    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.,…
    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…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    225X00000XOccupational TherapistAn occupational therapist is a person who has graduated from an entry-level occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for O…
    225100000XPhysical TherapistPhysical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    207QD0401XDiabetology (Family Medicine) PhysicianA family medicine physician who specializes in diagnosis and management of type 1, type 2, gestational, and atypical diabetes; diabetes complications;…
    225A00000XMusic TherapistMusic therapists use music interventions to assess clients' strengths and needs, develop goals, implement services, and evaluate and document progress…
    2083C0008XClinical Informatics PhysicianPhysicians who practice Clinical Informatics collaborate with other health care and information technology professionals to analyze, design, implement…
    170100000XPh.D. Medical GeneticsA medical geneticist works in association with a medical specialist, is affiliated with a clinical genetics program, and serves as a consultant to med…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.40Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, unspecified
    E11.42Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy
    E88.9Metabolic disorder, unspecified
    F03.90Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety
    G12.21Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    G81.90Hemiplegia, unspecified affecting unspecified side
    G82.20Paraplegia, unspecified
    I69.351Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting right dominant side
    I69.352Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting left dominant side
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee

    Showing 1–10 of 24

    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

    • More pages

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.