For years, Medicare G codes were a core part of clinical documentation for outpatient rehab professionals. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists once had to include special g-codes in their claims to show how a patient’s functional status changed over time. However, in 2019, Medicare phased out these requirements, leaving many practice owners and therapists wondering how relevant G-codes are in 2025—and whether they still need a g code list or a g code cheat sheet.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about G-codes in the current landscape. We’ll explain the origins of the codes, why they were discontinued, how they might still appear in certain situations, and how you can streamline your documentation and billing processes going forward. Whether you’re a new grad hearing about G-codes for the first time or a seasoned owner who lived through the old system, you’ll find valuable insights on whether G-codes still matter—and what you can do instead.
A Brief History of G-Codes
Why G-Codes Were Introduced
G-codes were originally introduced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of Functional Limitation Reporting (FLR). Starting around 2013, therapists were required to track their patients’ functional status (for example, mobility, self-care, or swallowing) using very specific code sets. Each set of g-codes corresponded to a broad functional limitation area—like “Walking & Moving Around” or “Carrying, Moving & Handling Objects.” Typically, each area had three distinct G-codes:
- One for current functional status
- One for projected goal status
- One for discharge status
In addition, the therapist would also select a severity modifier (CH–CN) to represent what percentage of functional impairment the patient demonstrated. This whole setup allowed Medicare to gather huge amounts of data on patient outcomes, theoretically to connect therapy interventions with tangible progress.
The Impact on PT Practice
For several years, physical therapy providers spent considerable time ensuring that their coding matched the rules. Many clinics relied on a g code cheat sheet to keep track of each functional limitation code and the corresponding severity modifiers. The typical process looked like this:
- Select the correct g code for your patient’s specific limitation.
- Choose the severity modifier (CH–CN) that best describes the impairment.
- Include relevant therapy modifiers (GP, GO, or GN) to designate whether the service was physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology.
- Ensure that both a current and goal status code made it onto your Medicare claim at the designated reporting intervals.
Since proper G-code usage was tied to payment, practice owners spent a lot of energy on compliance—creating g code lists, educating staff, and verifying documentation accuracy.
Medicare G Codes After 2019
The Discontinuation of FLR
Despite CMS’s initial enthusiasm for data collection, the FLR program wasn’t yielding the kind of actionable insights Medicare had hoped. As a result, effective January 1, 2019, CMS discontinued the functional limitation reporting requirement. Clinics were no longer required to report a g code or G-code pairs with severity modifiers for each Medicare claim.
The official reason: CMS found that the data did not effectively inform policy development or improved patient outcomes in a meaningful way. Meanwhile, it placed an administrative burden on clinics large and small.
What Happened to G-Codes?
You’ll still see references to G-codes in older documentation, websites, or software systems. But as far as Medicare Part B outpatient therapy is concerned, G-codes are no longer mandatory. That means you don’t have to keep a g-code list taped to your desk or memorize the CH–CN severity modifiers for your Medicare patients.
However, some clinics or payers might continue to use G-codes for internal tracking or for reasons unrelated to Medicare compliance. For instance, a non-Medicare payer might adapt G-codes to meet their own quality reporting standards. Still, this is uncommon in 2025. Most practice owners find that focusing on other quality initiatives or outcome tools is more beneficial.
Are G-Codes Still Usable?
Strictly speaking, G-codes exist in the coding system, but they lack the same functional or reimbursement significance they once had. You could theoretically continue using them for your internal note-taking, but it would not impact your Medicare claims or payments. If you have an older EMR system that prompts you for G-codes, you might simply disable that feature—or, if you prefer, maintain it as a reference.
G-Code Alternatives and the Future of PT Documentation
Quality Reporting and Outcome Tools
Even though G-codes are no longer required, many therapists still want to demonstrate their patients’ functional progress, both to payers and for internal quality improvements. In 2025, practices typically turn to:
- Standardized Outcome Measures
- Tools like the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), QuickDASH, or Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) can show measurable progress.
- This approach often feels more clinically meaningful than pulling up a g code cheat sheet.
- EMR-Based Tracking
- Many modern EMR or practice management platforms let you track a patient’s improvement over time using embedded surveys, performance tests, and even patient-reported outcomes (PROs).
- Because payers increasingly look for data on patient function, outcome tracking can help you negotiate rates or demonstrate value.
Therapy Modifiers (GP, GO, GN)
Although you no longer have to remember your g-code list, the therapy modifiers (GP for physical therapy, GO for occupational therapy, and GN for speech-language pathology) remain in effect. These modifiers are still added to CPT codes when billing certain outpatient rehabilitation services under Medicare. They’re not going away—and they help indicate which discipline performed the service.
Electronic Solutions and Automation
In 2025, many clinic owners have turned to practice management software like PtEverywhere (and other electronic record systems) that streamline billing and documentation. While older platforms might still prompt you for G-codes, modern software solutions typically:
- Eliminate G-code prompts (or mark them as “No longer required”) for Medicare.
- Automate therapy modifiers (GP, GO, GN) based on the provider’s credentials.
- Provide built-in templates for standard outcome measures, automatically calculating patient progress.
- Offer easy compliance checks for other existing Medicare rules (for instance, the KX modifier thresholds).
This shift has reduced administrative time, freeing up PTs to do what they do best: treat patients.
Practical Tips for Physical Therapy Professionals
1. Don’t Over-Document G-Codes
Since FLR is no longer active, you won’t gain anything by continuing to report a g code on your Medicare claims. If your software still requires it, ask your vendor if there’s a setting to disable G-code prompts. Documenting them out of habit can introduce confusion with payers who might interpret the codes as extraneous or outdated.
2. Develop a Modern “Cheat Sheet”
While a g code cheat sheet used to be mandatory, these days your cheat sheet should focus on frequently used CPT codes, therapy modifiers, and perhaps your key outcome measures. For instance, you might keep a quick reference of how to bill for therapeutic exercise (97110) vs. neuromuscular re-education (97112) and how to properly note those in your EMR.
3. Focus on Outcome Data
If you still want to demonstrate that your interventions produce functional gains, use widely accepted outcome measures or patient-reported outcome instruments. That data is more relevant to your clinic’s marketing, payer negotiations, and internal quality checks than any g-code list from the past.
4. Keep Tabs on Regulations
Though G-codes have disappeared from Medicare G codes compliance requirements, healthcare regulations are ever-changing. Maintain a habit of reading official updates from CMS, especially any new rules around outpatient therapy. You never know when new coding or reporting requirements might appear in the future.
5. Leverage a Robust PT Software
It might sound obvious, but investing in a good PT software—like PtEverywhere—makes all the difference in ensuring you’re compliant with the latest rules (and not weighed down by old ones). The right system can auto-populate therapy modifiers, handle modern outcome measures, and provide real-time insights on your documentation. For many clinics, a streamlined workflow can make the difference between doubling down on patient care or getting lost in administrative tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep a record of old G-codes or a g code cheat sheet in 2025?
It’s optional. There’s no compliance reason to keep them handy, but if your clinic still references historical data or older charts that contain G-codes, you might need the list for those legacy documents. Just remember, these codes no longer affect payment.
Do I still have to use therapy modifiers like GP?
Yes. GP, GO, and GN modifiers remain an active part of Medicare billing. They identify which discipline provided the therapy service.
My software keeps prompting me for G-codes—can I ignore that?
Typically, yes, if you’re billing Medicare Part B. Check with your software’s support or administration settings to see if you can disable or bypass G-code prompts for current Medicare claims.
Are there private payers that still require G-codes?
It’s uncommon but not impossible. Always verify your contracts and payer policies. If a specific plan references G-codes for some reason, you’ll need to follow their guidelines. For mainstream Medicare and the majority of payers, G-codes are no longer used.
How PtEverywhere Helps Streamline Your Practice
PtEverywhere is a comprehensive physical therapy software designed to simplify your documentation and billing—even as regulations change. Here’s how:
- Automated Workflows: Eliminate the hassle of outdated G-codes by leveraging smart forms that adjust to modern Medicare rules.
- Therapy Modifier Integration: Automatically assign GP, GO, or GN modifiers so you stay compliant with minimal manual effort.
- Outcome Tracking: Track patient progress with built-in assessments and data visualization, sparing you from juggling multiple spreadsheets.
- Efficient Billing: Submit clean, accurate claims—without worrying about extraneous code entries—and reduce denials or rejections.
- Centralized Patient Management: Keep scheduling, documentation, and secure patient communication in one place, freeing you to focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
Conclusion
Though g codes once occupied the center stage of outpatient therapy billing, they’ve essentially become a historical footnote. In 2025, physical therapy professionals and practice owners no longer need a g code cheat sheet for Medicare compliance, nor must they track every functional limitation with a g-code list. The shift away from Medicare g codes has simplified claims submission and freed therapists to focus on meaningful clinical data, like standardized outcome measures, that truly demonstrate patient progress.
By staying current with regulations, leveraging user-friendly PT software, and concentrating on proven outcome tools, your clinic can continue delivering high-quality care and maintain compliance—no old G-code system required. Embrace the streamlined processes of modern practice management, and let your therapy results speak for themselves.