Phone: 866-718-5757 Fax: 866-718-5759 Email: careers@lifecaretherapy.com
Introduction
Caregiver training is perhaps the most important component of a dementia-care program. We cannot stop the progression of the disease but we can help equip the care provider(s) with how to best manage the symptoms and progression. Often, this will be done with the patient present but, there are times when caregiver training without the patient present is needed. Guess what? We (finally) have a code for that!
Strategies for Success
Code Definition:
Caregiver training in strategies and techniques to facilitate the patient's functional performance in the home or community (e.g., 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 (97550) and each subsequent 15 minutes (97551).
When:
The patient’s presence at the caregiver training may impede caregiver skill acquisition.
The presence of the patient may negatively impact the practitioner-patient relationship.
The patient’s medical condition may be such that they are physically or cognitively unable to participate in the caregiver session.
How:
Can be performed by all disciplines including therapists and assistants.
Can be as part of a scheduled treatment session or as a standalone session.
No indication that it cannot be performed via telehealth.
Each discipline has a Chart Template for Caregiver Training with the codes added.
Schedule the training session > Add Chart Template > Write your summary > Sign Off!
If the patient is present, the most appropriate code is 97535 – Self Care/Home Management Training
More Info
That's all we have for this one folks!