HCPCS code G0396: Brief intervention, alcohol or other substance, 15–30 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Reports a structured alcohol or other substance-use assessment with brief intervention when the clinician spends 15–30 minutes on the service.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $34.54 for G0396 in the office and $27.52 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · G0396 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What G0396 covers
G0396 covers a structured assessment for alcohol or other substance use followed by a brief intervention, with 15–30 minutes spent on the service. A clinician may use an instrument such as AUDIT for alcohol or DAST for drug use, discuss the findings, advise behavior change, and arrange treatment referral when indicated. The service involves more than administering a questionnaire; it includes assessment and a responsive intervention.
Select G0396 based on the documented assessment, intervention, and time, not solely on a substance-use diagnosis or screening result. Record the instrument or assessment method, findings, counseling provided, total service time, and any referral or follow-up plan. Use G0397 when the documented service exceeds 30 minutes. CMS assigns work, practice expense, and malpractice relative values to G0396 in the physician fee schedule, with practice-expense values differing by office and facility setting.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
How Alabama compares for G0396
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for G0396 runs from $34.22 in Arkansas to $47.90 in Alaska. Alabama pays $34.54. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$34.54
- Los Angeles, CA · California$39.74+$5.20
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$40.85+$6.31
- Miami, FL · Florida$40.69+$6.15
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$39.89+$5.35
- Manhattan, NY · New York$41.80+$7.26
- Alaska · Alaska$47.90+$13.36
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $34.22 | $27.33 |
| ArizonaArizona | $36.37 | $28.60 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $37.99 | $29.20 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $37.81 | $29.02 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $41.71 | $31.14 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $39.36 | $29.88 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $38.45 | $29.67 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $39.10 | $29.78 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $38.94 | $29.65 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $39.43 | $29.84 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $43.53 | $32.23 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $43.46 | $32.16 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $44.44 | $32.88 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $44.16 | $32.60 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $38.37 | $29.24 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $39.47 | $29.73 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $38.97 | $29.62 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $39.84 | $30.00 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $41.61 | $31.04 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $37.80 | $29.01 |
| ColoradoColorado | $37.75 | $29.22 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $38.96 | $30.33 |
| DelawareDelaware | $36.82 | $28.90 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $38.87 | $30.75 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $37.50 | $29.83 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $37.76 | $29.61 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $36.02 | $28.87 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $38.06 | $28.95 |
| IowaIowa | $34.73 | $27.40 |
| IdahoIdaho | $34.95 | $27.58 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $38.04 | $30.66 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $37.04 | $29.72 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $39.13 | $30.90 |
| IndianaIndiana | $35.07 | $27.64 |
| KansasKansas | $34.80 | $27.55 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $35.42 | $28.30 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $36.56 | $29.02 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $35.45 | $28.36 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $40.34 | $30.77 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $37.72 | $29.28 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $38.87 | $30.27 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $37.29 | $29.18 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $35.25 | $27.87 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $36.22 | $28.27 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $37.98 | $30.25 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $36.17 | $28.85 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $36.05 | $27.80 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $36.21 | $28.69 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $36.44 | $28.81 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $35.18 | $28.27 |
| MississippiMississippi | $34.69 | $27.79 |
| MontanaMontana | $37.07 | $29.05 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $35.46 | $27.98 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $35.88 | $27.87 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $34.80 | $27.40 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $37.37 | $29.03 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $40.72 | $31.42 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $39.37 | $30.61 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $36.37 | $29.02 |
| NevadaNevada | $36.75 | $28.73 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $42.71 | $33.18 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $39.74 | $30.96 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $41.78 | $32.31 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $35.81 | $28.20 |
| OhioOhio | $35.93 | $28.61 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $35.20 | $28.04 |
| Portland, OROregon | $38.39 | $29.49 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $36.43 | $28.44 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $38.40 | $30.06 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $35.87 | $28.51 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $37.19 | $29.09 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $37.71 | $29.43 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $35.76 | $28.35 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $35.74 | $27.73 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $34.93 | $27.64 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $37.66 | $29.18 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $35.73 | $28.44 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $36.69 | $28.74 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $36.93 | $28.95 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $36.82 | $28.92 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $36.81 | $28.85 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $37.91 | $29.95 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $36.20 | $28.59 |
| UtahUtah | $36.07 | $28.53 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $36.26 | $28.38 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $37.19 | $29.09 |
| VermontVermont | $35.95 | $28.02 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $37.59 | $29.15 |
| King County, WAWashington | $40.83 | $30.99 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $35.13 | $27.45 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $36.19 | $29.22 |
| WyomingWyoming | $36.55 | $28.54 |
G0396 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$34.22
$47.90
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $47.90 | 1 |
| AL | $34.54 | 1 |
| AR | $34.22 | 1 |
| AZ | $36.37 | 1 |
| CA | $37.80–$44.44 | 29 |
| CO | $37.75 | 1 |
| CT | $38.96 | 1 |
| DC | $40.85 | 1 |
| DE | $36.82 | 1 |
| FL | $37.50–$40.69 | 3 |
| GA | $36.02–$37.76 | 2 |
| GU | $38.06 | 1 |
| HI | $38.06 | 1 |
| IA | $34.73 | 1 |
| ID | $34.95 | 1 |
| IL | $37.04–$39.89 | 4 |
| IN | $35.07 | 1 |
| KS | $34.80 | 1 |
| KY | $35.42 | 1 |
| LA | $35.45–$36.56 | 2 |
| MA | $37.72–$40.34 | 2 |
| MD | $37.29–$40.85 | 3 |
| ME | $35.25–$36.22 | 2 |
| MI | $36.17–$37.98 | 2 |
| MN | $36.05 | 1 |
| MO | $35.18–$36.44 | 3 |
| MS | $34.69 | 1 |
| MT | $37.07 | 1 |
| NC | $35.46 | 1 |
| ND | $35.88 | 1 |
| NE | $34.80 | 1 |
| NH | $37.37 | 1 |
| NJ | $39.37–$40.72 | 2 |
| NM | $36.37 | 1 |
| NV | $36.75 | 1 |
| NY | $35.81–$42.71 | 5 |
| OH | $35.93 | 1 |
| OK | $35.20 | 1 |
| OR | $36.43–$38.39 | 2 |
| PA | $35.87–$38.40 | 2 |
| PR | $37.19 | 1 |
| RI | $37.71 | 1 |
| SC | $35.76 | 1 |
| SD | $35.74 | 1 |
| TN | $34.93 | 1 |
| TX | $35.73–$37.91 | 8 |
| UT | $36.07 | 1 |
| VA | $36.26–$40.85 | 2 |
| VI | $37.19 | 1 |
| VT | $35.95 | 1 |
| WA | $37.59–$40.83 | 2 |
| WI | $35.13 | 1 |
| WV | $36.19 | 1 |
| WY | $36.55 | 1 |
How the G0396 rate is calculated
Each of G0396’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · G0396
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.65
0.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.40
0.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.06
0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.1100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$37.07
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
15,220
- Code
- G0396
- Physician work
- 0.65
- Practice expense
- 0.40
- Malpractice
- 0.06
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.65 | × 1.000 | 0.6500 |
| Practice expense | 0.40 | × 0.875 | 0.3500 |
| Malpractice | 0.06 | × 0.566 | 0.0340 |
| Total RVUs | 1.0340 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$34.54
Office: (0.65 × 1 + 0.4 × 0.875 + 0.06 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $34.54
Facility: (0.65 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.875 + 0.06 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $27.52
Payment rules and modifiers for G0396
G0396 has no global surgery period, no multiple-procedure, bilateral or assistant-at-surgery adjustment, and no professional/technical split. What changes the payment is where the service happens: the place of service on the claim decides whether Medicare pays the office or the facility rate.
Place of service · G0396
Which rate does Medicare pay?
The POS code on the claim line (CMS-1500 box 24B).
POS 11 · non-facility rate · national
$37.07
- Non-facility (office)
- $37.07
- Facility
- $29.06
Higher because the practice carries its own overhead.
How G0396 has changed in Alabama
G0396 · Office / nonfacility
$34.54
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.03 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $31.51 to $34.54 (9.6%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$31.51changed to$34.54
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.34 changed to 0.40
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$32.14changed to$31.51
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$31.62changed to$32.14
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$33.16changed to$31.62
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$34.54changed to$33.16
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$34.82changed to$34.54
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$35.00changed to$34.82
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.32 changed to 0.34
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$34.26changed to$35.00
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$34.22changed to$34.26
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$34.22
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $34.54 | $27.52 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $34.54 | $27.52 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $34.54 | $27.52 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $34.54 | $27.52 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $31.51 | $28.98 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $31.51 | $28.98 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $31.51 | $28.98 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $31.51 | $28.98 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $32.14 | $29.54 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $32.14 | $29.54 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $32.14 | $29.54 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $32.14 | $29.54 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $31.62 | $29.05 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $33.16 | $30.18 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $33.16 | $30.18 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $33.16 | $30.18 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $33.16 | $30.18 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $34.54 | $31.77 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $34.54 | $31.77 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $34.54 | $31.77 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $34.54 | $31.77 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $34.82 | $32.03 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $34.82 | $32.03 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $34.82 | $32.03 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $34.82 | $32.03 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $35.00 | $32.43 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $35.00 | $32.43 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $35.00 | $32.43 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $35.00 | $32.43 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $34.26 | $32.01 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $34.26 | $32.01 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $34.26 | $32.01 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $34.26 | $32.01 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $34.22 | $32.30 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $34.22 | $32.30 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $34.22 | $32.30 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
G0396 billing questions
When should G0396 be used instead of G0397?
Use G0396 for a documented structured assessment and brief intervention lasting 15–30 minutes. G0397 is the longer-duration counterpart for services exceeding 30 minutes.
Does administering a screening questionnaire alone support G0396?
No. G0396 includes a brief intervention after the structured assessment; document the discussion or counseling that followed the assessment.
What documentation should support G0396?
Record the assessment method or instrument, results, intervention provided, total service time, and any referral or follow-up plan.
Can the same counseling time be counted toward an office visit and G0396?
Do not count the same work or time twice. Document the substance-use assessment and intervention distinctly from any separately reported evaluation and management service.
How many units of G0396 are reported for a 15–30-minute service?
G0396 represents the 15–30-minute service. Document the total time supporting that service; use G0397 when the service exceeds 30 minutes.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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