G0512 is a Medicare HCPCS code that was used by eligible Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to bill psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) services.
However, G0512 is no longer reportable for psychiatric CoCM services furnished on or after January 1, 2026. RHCs and FQHCs now report the applicable individual CoCM codes, including 99492, 99493, 99494, and G2214.
This guide explains the 2026 billing change, G0512 vs. 99492, FQHC collaborative care billing, and the reimbursement rules.
What Is G0512?
G0512 is a Medicare HCPCS code that was used by eligible RHCs and FQHCs to report psychiatric CoCM services.
Before 2026, the code provided a simpler way for these facilities to report qualifying psychiatric collaborative care. Medicare established a separate payment methodology for the service rather than requiring facilities to report each individual CoCM code.
The model focuses on coordinated behavioral healthcare.
The patient’s care may involve a
- Primary care provider,
- Behavioral health care manager
- Psychiatric consultant.
For example, an FQHC may have a patient receiving treatment for depression. The primary care team can coordinate behavioral health support, monitor the patient’s progress, and obtain psychiatric input when needed.
The goal is not simply to document a behavioral health visit. The team works together and follows the patient’s treatment over time.
G0512 in 2026
The most important update is that G0512 is no longer reportable for psychiatric CoCM services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
CMS now requires RHCs and FQHCs to report the individual codes that describe these services. These include 99492, 99493, 99494, and G2214.
Therefore, a current billing guide should not tell an RHC or FQHC to use G0512 for a 2026 psychiatric CoCM claim.
The code remains relevant when researching older claims, historical billing policies, and the transition to the current Medicare rules.
Who Used G0512?
Eligible RHCs and FQHCs used the code for qualifying psychiatric CoCM services under the rules that applied before 2026.
These facilities should distinguish their billing requirements from those used by physician offices or other healthcare settings. Medicare can apply different payment and reporting rules depending on the provider type.
A billing team reviewing an older claim should therefore confirm:
- The facility was an eligible RHC or FQHC.
- The service met the applicable CoCM requirements.
- The required care management work was performed.
- Supporting documents for the services given.
- The claim followed the rules in effect on the service date.
For current services, the team should also confirm the individual code that applies rather than automatically selecting the older G code.
How Psychiatric CoCM Works
Psychiatric CoCM is based on teamwork.
A typical care model can include:
- A primary care provider overseeing treatment.
- A behavioral health care manager supporting the patient.
- A psychiatric consultant providing specialist guidance.
The team can monitor symptoms, coordinate treatment, communicate with the patient, and adjust the care plan when appropriate.
This approach can help a primary care setting provide behavioral health support without requiring every patient to receive separate specialty care.
Documentation should show the work performed and support the applicable billing requirements.
For example, the record should make it possible to understand the patient’s behavioral health needs, care plan, follow-up, coordination, and involvement of the appropriate care team.
Billing Requirements
Billing teams should start with the date of service.
For older claims, G0512 may be relevant if the service was furnished when the code was still the applicable reporting method.
For psychiatric CoCM services furnished from January 1, 2026, the individual CPT and HCPCS codes must be reported instead. CMS also states that a claim should not contain both G0512 and the corresponding individual CoCM codes.
Before submitting a claim, review:
- Facility eligibility.
- Date of service.
- Type of behavioral health service.
- Applicable CoCM requirements.
- Required documentation.
- Time requirements.
- Correct individual code for current services.
- Applicable Medicare payment rate.
This simple review can help prevent outdated coding practices from carrying into current claims.
G0512 vs 99492
The comparison between G0512 and 99492 can be confusing because both are connected with psychiatric collaborative care.
The key difference is the billing structure and date of service.
Before 2026, RHCs and FQHCs used G0512 to report qualifying psychiatric CoCM services under the specific RHC/FQHC payment methodology.
Beginning January 1, 2026, those facilities must report the individual CoCM codes instead. CMS identifies 99492, 99493, 99494, and G2214 as the applicable psychiatric CoCM codes.
What Is 99492?
CPT 99492 describes at least 70 minutes of initial psychiatric CoCM services during the first calendar month when all other requirements are met.
For subsequent calendar months, CPT 99493 describes at least 60 minutes of psychiatric CoCM services.
CPT 99494 can be used as an add-on for each additional 30 minutes when its requirements are met. G2214 covers an initial or subsequent 30 minutes of behavioral health care manager time per calendar month.
This means the current billing process identifies the actual individual services instead of using one bundled G0512 reporting code.
Simple Comparison
| Feature | G0512 | Current CoCM Reporting |
| Provider setting | RHC/FQHC | RHC/FQHC |
| Main use | Historical psychiatric CoCM reporting | Current psychiatric CoCM |
| Reporting method | Single G code | Individual CPT/HCPCS codes |
| 2026 use | Not reportable for psychiatric CoCM | Applicable |
| Payment approach | Historical G0512 methodology | Individual national non-facility PFS rates |
The biggest point is that G0512 should not be presented as the current 2026 billing code for psychiatric CoCM.
Collaborative Care FQHC Billing
FQHC billing for psychiatric CoCM changed with the 2026 Medicare rules.
Starting January 1, 2026, FQHCs report the individual codes describing psychiatric CoCM rather than G0512. CMS states that these services are paid at the national non-facility Physician Fee Schedule rate.
For an FQHC billing team, the workflow should therefore be:
Identify → Document → Code → Submit → Review payment
First, identify the service provided.
Next, confirm that the documentation supports the service and applicable requirements.
Then select the individual CPT or HCPCS code that describes the work.
Finally, check the claim and expected Medicare payment before submission.
Time Requirements
For psychiatric CoCM, CMS states that at least 70 minutes must be provided during the first calendar month and at least 60 minutes during subsequent calendar months to bill the applicable service.
Only qualifying practitioner or auxiliary personnel services can count toward the required time. Administrative activities such as transcription or translation do not count.
A billing team should not simply total every activity performed around the patient. It should count only the activities that meet the applicable Medicare requirements.
G0512 Reimbursement Rate
The G0512 reimbursement rate needs to be discussed with the correct year because the payment method changed in 2026.
Under the older system, Medicare set the G0512 payment annually. CMS explained that the rate was based on the average of the national non-facility Physician Fee Schedule rates for CPT 99492 and 99493.
That historical methodology is important when reviewing older RHC or FQHC claims.
However, it should not be used as the current 2026 payment method for psychiatric CoCM.
Current 2026 Payment
For psychiatric CoCM services furnished from January 1, 2026, Medicare pays the individual CoCM codes at the national non-facility PFS payment rates.
The applicable codes include:
- 99492 for initial psychiatric CoCM.
- 99493 for subsequent psychiatric CoCM.
- 99494 as an additional 30-minute CoCM code.
- G2214 for qualifying behavioral health care manager time.
CMS confirms this payment approach for both RHCs and FQHCs. Therefore, there is no single current G0512 rate that should be applied to a 2026 psychiatric CoCM claim. When checking reimbursement, the billing team should identify the applicable individual code and then verify the current CMS PFS rate.
Why Rates Can Be Confusing
Older articles may still show a G0512 rate.
That does not necessarily mean the information is wrong. It may simply describe an earlier payment year.
For example, CMS previously listed G0512 rates for individual years and explained that the amount was updated annually.
The problem occurs when an older rate is presented as though it were the current 2026 reimbursement amount.
For this reason, every reimbursement discussion should clearly state the applicable year and date of service.
Final Takeaway
G0512 was an important Medicare billing code for psychiatric CoCM. It applied to eligible RHCs and FQHCs before 2026. However, its reporting rules changed on January 1, 2026. Current CoCM services require individual CPT and HCPCS codes instead of G0512.
Medicare pays these services using applicable national PFS rates. Billing teams should always verify the service date before submitting claims. MediRemote helps healthcare organizations manage medical billing workflows and changing Medicare requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is G0512 still used in 2026?
Not for psychiatric CoCM services furnished on or after January 1, 2026. RHCs and FQHCs must report the applicable individual CoCM codes instead.
Can RHCs bill 99492?
Yes. CMS lists 99492 among the individual psychiatric CoCM codes that RHCs can report beginning January 1, 2026, when all applicable requirements are met.
Can FQHCs bill 99493?
Yes. FQHCs can report 99493 for qualifying subsequent-month psychiatric CoCM services. CMS requires at least 60 minutes of qualifying services during the subsequent calendar month.
What happened to G0512?
CMS discontinued G0512 reporting for psychiatric CoCM services beginning January 1, 2026. The individual CoCM codes replaced it for current services.
How should older G0512 claims be reviewed?
Use the Medicare rules that were in effect on the claim’s date of service. Older claims may still require review under the historical G0512 methodology.