CPT® Code 97154

1. Indications

Group adaptive behavior treatment by protocol is indicated for patients exhibiting maladaptive or deficient behaviors that require structured intervention. The following conditions may warrant the use of this treatment:

• Social Skills Deficits Patients who struggle with social interactions and require support in developing appropriate social behaviors.
• Emotional Regulation Issues Individuals who have difficulty managing their emotions and need strategies to cope with emotional responses.
• Communication Problems Patients who face challenges in verbal or non-verbal communication and require targeted interventions to enhance their communication skills.
• Repetitive or Harmful Behaviors Those exhibiting behaviors that are harmful to themselves or others, necessitating intervention to reduce or eliminate these actions.
• Stereotypical Behaviors Individuals displaying repetitive movements or actions that may interfere with daily functioning and social interactions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for administering group adaptive behavior treatment by protocol involves several key steps, each designed to ensure effective delivery of the treatment:

• Step 1: Assessment and Protocol Design Prior to the initiation of treatment, a comprehensive assessment is conducted to identify the specific behavioral deficits of each patient. Based on these assessments, a treatment protocol is designed by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, outlining the goals and strategies to be employed during therapy.
• Step 2: Group Administration The technician administers the treatment protocol in a face-to-face setting with two or more patients, ensuring that each session lasts for a minimum of 15 minutes. The group dynamic allows for peer interaction, which can enhance learning and skill acquisition.
• Step 3: Skill Practice During the sessions, patients are provided with multiple opportunities to practice the target skills related to their specific behavioral deficits. This practice is crucial for reinforcing learning and promoting generalization of skills across different environments.
• Step 4: Data Collection The technician is responsible for collecting, recording, and graphing data on each patient's performance and progress throughout the treatment sessions. This data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment protocol.
• Step 5: Review and Adjustment After the completion of treatment sessions, the collected data is reviewed by the supervising physician or qualified professional. This review process helps determine if the treatment protocols are effective or if adjustments are necessary to better meet the patients' needs.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves ongoing monitoring of the patients' progress following the completion of the treatment sessions. The technician may continue to collect data on the patients' behaviors in various settings to assess the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. Additionally, regular follow-up appointments with the supervising physician or qualified professional are recommended to review progress, make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan, and ensure that the patients are continuing to develop the targeted skills effectively. It is important to maintain open communication between the technician, patients, and supervising professionals to support the ongoing success of the treatment goals.