© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Caregiver training is a specialized service designed to equip caregivers with the necessary skills and techniques to support patients with functional disabilities effectively. This training focuses on enhancing the caregiver's ability to assist patients in various aspects of daily living, including mobility, communication, and safety practices. The training is conducted face-to-face, but notably, the patient is not present during these sessions. Caregivers learn through a combination of instructional methods, such as videos, verbal guidance, live demonstrations, and hands-on simulations, which allow them to practice the techniques under the supervision of a qualified professional. The training covers essential areas such as activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs), which include tasks like feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, and mobility transfers. Additionally, caregivers receive instruction on the use of assistive devices, problem-solving strategies for unexpected situations, and how to implement safety practices in the home or community environment. The training also emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient's condition and treatment plan, ensuring that caregivers are well-informed and prepared to provide effective support. Furthermore, caregivers are encouraged to ask questions and express concerns, and they are provided with resources to access additional support for patient care. For billing purposes, the initial 30 minutes of face-to-face caregiver training without the patient present is reported using CPT® Code 97550, while each additional 15 minutes of training is reported with CPT® Code 97551. In cases where training is provided in a group setting for multiple caregivers, CPT® Code 97552 should be used.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The caregiver training described by CPT® Code 97551 is indicated for caregivers who assist patients with functional disabilities. This training is essential for enhancing the caregiver's ability to support the patient in various daily activities and ensuring safety in the home or community environment. Specific indications for this training may include:
The procedure for caregiver training under CPT® Code 97551 involves several key steps that ensure caregivers receive comprehensive instruction tailored to their needs and the specific requirements of the patient they support. Each step is designed to facilitate effective learning and application of skills in real-world scenarios.
After the caregiver training session, it is essential to ensure that caregivers feel confident in their ability to apply the skills learned. Caregivers are encouraged to practice the techniques in real-life situations and to communicate regularly with healthcare professionals regarding any challenges they encounter. Follow-up sessions may be recommended to reinforce learning and address any new concerns that arise as caregivers implement their training. Additionally, caregivers should be reminded of the importance of self-care, as their well-being directly impacts their ability to provide effective support to the patient. Continuous education and access to resources are vital for maintaining the quality of care provided to patients with functional disabilities.
| Short Descr | CAREGIVER TRAING EA ADDL 15 | Medium Descr | CAREGIVER TRAINING STRATEGIES&TQ EA ADDL 15 MIN | Long Descr | Caregiver training in strategies and techniques to facilitate the patient's functional performance in the home or community (eg, activities of daily living [ADLs], instrumental ADLs [iADLs], transfers, mobility, communication, swallowing, feeding, problem solving, safety practices) (without the patient present), face to face; each additional 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary service) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | 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 | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 2 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 97550 | Telehealth Service (Medicare) MPFS Status: Active Code APC A Caregiver training in strategies and techniques to facilitate the patient's functional performance in the home or community (eg, activities of daily living [ADLs], instrumental ADLs [iADLs], transfers, mobility, communication, swallowing, feeding, problem solving, safety practices) (without the patient present), face to face; initial 30 minutes |
| GN | Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care | GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | 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. | 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. | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-01 | Added | Code Added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.