What does GG mean in medical terms? Decoding the medical abbreviation

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Medical abbreviations can be confusing, as a single set of letters can represent different things depending on the context. So, what does GG mean in medical terms? Its most common and significant meaning is related to a standardized functional assessment used across post-acute care settings, but other, less frequent, uses also exist in medicine.

Quick Summary

In a clinical setting, GG most often refers to Section GG, a standardized functional assessment used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to measure a patient's self-care and mobility in post-acute care settings.

Key Points

Section GG: This is the most common meaning, referring to a functional assessment tool used by CMS in post-acute care settings to measure patient self-care and mobility.
Standardized Assessment: Section GG replaced previous functional measures like the FIM and provides a universal language for reporting functional status across different care settings.
Coding Scale: Clinicians use a 6-level scale to score patient performance in Section GG, with codes reflecting the level of assistance required for mobility and self-care tasks.
Pill Imprint: Outside of assessments, GG can refer to the imprint on certain medications, such as the antihistamine Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride.
Gamma Globulin: Less commonly, in some older terminology, G.G. refers to gamma globulin, an antibody-containing solution used to boost the immune system.
Genetics: In a genetics context, GG represents a homozygous dominant genotype, indicating two identical dominant alleles for a gene.
Context is Key: The correct interpretation of "GG" depends entirely on the specific medical field and surrounding information; always seek clarification if unsure.

Section GG: The Primary Medical Meaning

For most healthcare professionals, particularly those in post-acute care settings, GG refers to Section GG, a key component of patient assessment. This section is a standardized tool utilized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to collect data on a patient's functional abilities and goals.

What is Section GG?

Section GG is a functional assessment designed to measure a patient's need for assistance with self-care and mobility. It is implemented in various post-acute care (PAC) settings, including:

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF)
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)
Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCH)
Home Health Agencies (HH)

This standardized approach provides a universal language for reporting a patient's functional status and allows for better coordination and comparison of care across different settings. It is a critical factor in determining reimbursement rates and measuring quality outcomes. The assessment is conducted at both admission and discharge to track the patient's progress over the course of their rehabilitation.

How is Section GG Coded?

Qualified clinicians, often including physical and occupational therapists, use a 6-level rating scale to code each activity. The scores reflect the patient's functional abilities based on the type and amount of assistance provided by a helper. The scale ranges from '6' for independent to '1' for dependent, with intermediate scores reflecting varying levels of assistance (e.g., setup, supervision, partial assistance). The assessment records the patient's "usual performance," reflecting how they perform tasks more than 50% of the time, not their best or worst performance.

Comparing Section G vs. Section GG

Section GG replaced the older Section G in many contexts and has some crucial differences, which can have significant financial implications if coded incorrectly. The table below outlines some of the key distinctions.


Aspect	Section G (Older Standard)	Section GG (Newer Standard)
Purpose	Measured functional status over a 7-day look-back period.	Measures functional abilities and goals at admission and discharge.
Look-Back Period	7 days	Typically the first three and last three days of a stay.
Scoring Scale	Variable, often focused on most-assistance needed.	6-level scale based on usual performance.
Tube Feeding	Included eating/drinking via tube feeding.	Excludes intake via feeding tube for eating measures.
Inpatient Rehab	Not used in all settings.	Replaced the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) in Inpatient Rehab Facilities.

Other Medical Interpretations of "GG"

While Section GG is the most prevalent use of the abbreviation, a few other, less common meanings exist.

Pill Imprints and Medications

In some pharmaceutical contexts, a pill may have the imprint "GG". For example, a specific white, oval pill with the imprint "G G" is identified as Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride, an antihistamine used to treat various allergies. This is specific to the pill's manufacturer, Glenmark Generics, Inc.

Gamma Globulin (G.G.) Solution

In some medical literature, G.G. can stand for gamma globulin, which is also known as immunoglobulin. This medication is prepared from human blood plasma and contains antibodies to help fight infections. It is used to boost the immune system in individuals with certain immune deficiencies. It is typically administered as an injection.

GG in Genetics

In genetics, the abbreviation GG represents a homozygous dominant genotype. This occurs when an individual inherits two identical, dominant alleles for a particular gene from their parents. While not a common shorthand in clinical reports, it is a standard abbreviation in genetic contexts.

The Importance of Context

As with any medical abbreviation, context is critical for proper interpretation. For a patient, seeing "GG" in a medical document might be confusing. A physical or occupational therapist would understand it as referring to Section GG, while a genetics specialist would interpret it differently. When in doubt, it is always best to ask a healthcare provider for clarification rather than making assumptions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a primary authority on the Section GG assessment and can offer official resources for healthcare providers to ensure accuracy. To learn more about CMS's guidelines, visit their website here.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of what does GG mean in medical terms has multiple answers, with the most important one being Section GG—a standardized functional assessment tool used in post-acute care. However, depending on the specialty, it could also refer to a pill imprint, gamma globulin, or a genetic genotype. The specific setting and surrounding information are vital to correctly deciphering the abbreviation and ensuring clear communication in a healthcare environment. Always clarify with a professional if you are unsure of a term's meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary meaning of GG in a medical setting, especially in rehabilitation and post-acute care, refers to Section GG. This is a standardized functional assessment tool used to measure a patient's self-care and mobility.

Section GG is used to evaluate a patient's functional abilities at both admission and discharge in settings like skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehab. The scores help track progress, determine care plans, and are used for reimbursement and quality metrics by CMS.

Yes, in a pharmaceutical context, "GG" can be a pill imprint. A white, oval pill with the imprint "G G" has been identified as Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride, a type of antihistamine.

No, GG is not the same as GGT. GGT stands for gamma-glutamyl transferase, which is an enzyme. A GGT test is a blood test primarily used to assess liver function, and it is a different abbreviation entirely.

In genetics, GG is a shorthand used to represent a homozygous dominant genotype. This means an organism has two identical, dominant alleles for a specific gene.

Section GG assesses a patient's ability to perform self-care tasks (like eating, dressing, and hygiene) and mobility tasks (such as transfers, walking, and moving). The assessment uses a 6-level scale to score the patient's typical performance.

Yes, in older medical terminology, G.G. can stand for gamma globulin (or immunoglobulin) solution. This is a medication containing antibodies, typically given as an intramuscular injection to boost a person's immune system.