2024 Annual Update to the Therapy Code List: Caregiver Training Codes
The CMS annual update to the therapy code list includes three new caregiver training “sometimes therapy” codes to include caregiver training when the patient is not present.
CMS defines caregiver as “a person who helps care for someone who is ill, disabled, or aged. Some caregivers are relatives or friends who volunteer their help.” This training would not be applicable to medical staff that are hired staff in a medical facility.
The three “sometimes therapy” HCPCS codes added for caregiver training services for CY 2024 are as follows:
- 97550 - Caregiver training in strategies and techniques to facilitate the patient’s functional performance in the home or community (e.g., ADLs, iADLs, transfers, mobility, communication, swallowing, feeding, problem solving, safety practices) (without the patient present), face to face; initial 30 minutes.
- 97551 - Caregiver training in strategies and techniques to facilitate the patient’s functional performance in the home or community (e.g., 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).
- 97552 - Group caregiver training in strategies and techniques to facilitate the patient's functional performance in the home or community (e.g., ADLs, iADLs, transfers, mobility, communication, swallowing, feeding, problem solving, safety practices) (without the patient present), face to face with multiple sets of caregivers.
These services may sometimes be furnished by physicians and certain NPPs, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical nurse specialists outside a therapy plan of care, under a treatment plan, when appropriate, that is, where the services are not integral to a therapy plan of care. When furnished by PTs, OTs and SLPs, these services are always furnished under therapy plans of care and must be accompanied by the appropriate therapy modifier – GP, GO or GN ─ to reflect they are provided under a physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology plan of care, respectively.
More guidance on documentation requirements will become available from the professional organizations and NGS. Please ensure that you follow the guidelines from other payers as these codes may not be applicable.
Related Content
- CR 13341 2024 Annual Update to the Therapy Code List
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- CMS Terms Glossary
Posted 1/22/2024