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Official Description

Self-care/home management training (eg, activities of daily living (ADL) and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures, and instructions in use of assistive technology devices/adaptive equipment) direct one-on-one contact, each 15 minutes

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 97535 refers to self-care and home management training provided to patients through direct one-on-one contact. This training is essential for enhancing a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) independently. Activities of daily living encompass fundamental tasks such as bed mobility, transfers, dressing, grooming, eating, bathing, and toileting. The training aims to equip patients with the necessary skills to manage their personal care effectively, thereby promoting independence and improving their quality of life. In addition to ADL training, patients receive guidance on compensatory strategies that can help them navigate any physical, mental, or emotional challenges they may face. This may include tailored meal preparation techniques that accommodate the patient's specific needs, ensuring safety during these activities. Furthermore, the training may involve instruction on the use of assistive technology devices and adaptive equipment, which are tools designed to enhance the patient's functional capabilities within their home environment. The billing for this service is structured to reflect each 15-minute segment of direct training provided, allowing for flexibility in the duration of sessions based on individual patient requirements.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 97535 is indicated for patients who require assistance in improving their self-care abilities and home management skills. This may include individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities that hinder their capacity to perform activities of daily living (ADL) independently. Specific indications for this training may include:

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Limitations Patients who struggle with basic self-care tasks such as dressing, grooming, eating, bathing, and toileting due to various health conditions.
  • Compensatory Training Needs Individuals who need strategies to adapt their daily routines to overcome physical or cognitive challenges.
  • Meal Preparation Adaptations Patients requiring guidance on how to prepare meals safely and effectively, tailored to their specific dietary needs and physical capabilities.
  • Assistive Technology Instruction Patients who need training on the use of adaptive equipment or assistive devices to enhance their functional independence at home.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 97535 involves several key steps to ensure effective training and support for the patient. Each step is designed to address the unique needs of the individual and promote their independence in self-care and home management.

  • Step 1: Assessment of Patient Needs The process begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's current abilities and challenges related to self-care and daily living activities. This assessment helps identify specific areas where training is required.
  • Step 2: Development of a Customized Training Plan Based on the assessment, a tailored training plan is developed that outlines the specific skills and techniques the patient will learn. This plan may include goals related to ADL, compensatory strategies, and the use of assistive devices.
  • Step 3: One-on-One Training Sessions The patient engages in direct one-on-one training sessions with a qualified professional. During these sessions, the trainer provides hands-on instruction and guidance in performing ADL, meal preparation, and using adaptive equipment safely and effectively.
  • Step 4: Practice and Reinforcement The patient practices the skills learned during training, with the trainer providing feedback and reinforcement to ensure proper technique and confidence in performing tasks independently.
  • Step 5: Evaluation of Progress After a series of training sessions, the patient's progress is evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the training and to make any necessary adjustments to the training plan. This evaluation helps ensure that the patient is on track to achieve their independence goals.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the training associated with CPT® Code 97535 involves ongoing support and evaluation of the patient's ability to perform self-care tasks independently. Patients may be encouraged to continue practicing the skills learned during training in their daily routines. Follow-up sessions may be scheduled to assess progress, address any new challenges, and provide additional training as needed. It is important for patients to have access to resources and support systems that can assist them in maintaining their independence and safety at home. Additionally, caregivers or family members may be involved in the training process to ensure they understand how to support the patient effectively in their daily activities.

Short Descr SELF CARE MNGMENT TRAINING
Medium Descr SELF-CARE/HOME MGMT TRAINING EACH 15 MINUTES
Long Descr Self-care/home management training (eg, activities of daily living (ADL) and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures, and instructions in use of assistive technology devices/adaptive equipment) direct one-on-one contact, each 15 minutes
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 7 - Physical Therapy Service, for which Payment may not be Made
Multiple Procedures (51) 5 - Special payment adjustment rules on the RVU practice expense component of multiple therapy service applies...
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Service Paid under Fee Schedule or Payment System other than OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 8
CCS Clinical Classification 215 - Other physical therapy and rehabilitation

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

0770T Add-on Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC E1 Virtual reality technology to assist therapy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
GO Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
CO Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant
CQ Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
97 Rehabilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 97 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a rehabilitative service. rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled.
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GN Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
96 Habilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for habilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 96 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a habilitative service. habilitative services help an individual learn skills and functioning for daily living that the individual has not yet developed, and then keep and/or improve those learned skills. habilitative services also help an individual keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems
GQ Via asynchronous telecommunications system
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
33 Preventive services: when the primary purpose of the service is the delivery of an evidence based service in accordance with a us preventive services task force a or b rating in effect and other preventive services identified in preventive services mandates (legislative or regulatory), the service may be identified by adding 33 to the procedure. for separately reported services specifically identified as preventive, the modifier should not be used.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
93 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only telecommunications system : synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located away at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that is sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction.
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
AJ Clinical social worker
AK Non participating physician
AM Physician, team member service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AT Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942)
CA Procedure payable only in the inpatient setting when performed emergently on an outpatient who expires prior to admission
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FP Service provided as part of family planning program
FQ The service was furnished using audio-only communication technology
G0 Telehealth services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment, of symptoms of an acute stroke
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
HP Doctoral level
KK Dmepos item subject to dmepos competitive bidding program number 2
KP First drug of a multiple drug unit dose formulation
KS Glucose monitor supply for diabetic beneficiary not treated with insulin
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PT Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
TL Early intervention/individualized family service plan (ifsp)
U5 Medicaid level of care 5, as defined by each state
UB Medicaid level of care 11, as defined by each state
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2001-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1996-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1996.
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