HCPCS Code G0153: Services Performed by a Qualified Speech-Language Pathologist in the Home Health or Hospice Setting, Each 15 Minutes

Learn about the HCPCS Code G0153 for services performed by a qualified speech-language pathologist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes.

Use Code

## **What is HCPCS Code G0153 for?** There are many revenue codes and HCPCS codes for billing services performed by specific kinds of healthcare professionals and groups (direct skilled nursing services, SLP service units, medical social services, home health agencies, qualified physical therapists, qualified occupational therapists, clinical social workers, etc.). One such HCPCS code is G0153, which refers to the tailored services performed by a qualified speech-language pathologist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes (meaning the session is only 15 minutes). If you're looking for speech-language pathology home health billing codes, this is one of the SLP HCPCS codes you can use. This code is often used for services that are provided to patients who have any of the following problems: - Trouble speaking and/or understanding language due to cognitive-communication disorders, stroke, brain injuries, voice disorders, or terminal illnesses that affect communication abilities - Dysphagia The services performed are meant to improve communication and/or address dysphagia. They must also be tailored to the patient's needs. A licensed speech-language pathologist provides these services, and they can receive assistance from a licensed practical nurse, caregivers, and/or health aides. Such services usually begin with an evaluation of the patient's condition, followed by SLP therapy sessions that incorporate activities and techniques geared to improve the patient's speech and language capabilities and address any swallowing problems they might have. If the patient is accompanied by skilled nursing personnel or caregivers, the speech-language pathologist can also take the time to educate them on strategies for helping the patient.

## **Documentation requirements for G0153** As with any service provided, the service provider needs to document everything accordingly. For G0153, the SLP who conducted the session must document the following: - The SLP's full name and credentials - The patient's full name - The patient's medical history - The patient's current and prior functional status - The date of service - Start and stop times of the session - Total minutes of the session - The specific services provided during the session (e.g., exercises, techniques) - Patient's response to the services provided - Goals (e.g., speech improvement, language comprehension improvement, swallowing safety, etc.) - Patient's response toward established goals - Any updates to treatment plans (if there have been established plans before the session)

## **Billing requirements for G0153** In addition to the documentation requirements above, billing requirements include the following coding guidelines and ensuring that sessions are no longer than 15 minutes. This does not include non-skilled time (observation and preparation). Only the time spent providing the actual skilled services is counted. If the services you performed are part of a therapy plan of care, make sure to use the modifier GN, which is for services delivered under an outpatient speech-language pathology plan of care. If, for whatever reason, your billing goes beyond the threshold amount for therapeutic services, use the modifier KX. However, you must justify the medical necessity of going over the threshold; otherwise, your billing request will be rejected.

## **Other similar HCPCS codes** - G0151 – Physical therapy in home health/hospice, each 15 minutes, performed by a qualified physical therapist - G0152 – Occupational therapy in home health/hospice, each 15 minutes, performed by a qualified occupational therapist - G0157 – Physical therapy in home health/hospice, each 15 minutes, performed by a qualified physical therapist assistant - G0161 – Services performed by a qualified speech-language pathologist, in the home health setting, in the establishment or delivery of a safe and effective therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes - S9128 – Speech therapy, in the home, per diem - S9152 – Speech therapy, re-evaluation

Frequently asked questions

The HCPCS G code for home health aide services under a home health plan of care is G0156. This code represents each 15-minute unit of aide service provided to support personal care and daily living activities in the patient’s home.

CPT codes 99304 to 99306 are used for initial skilled nursing facility (SNF) care visits, covering comprehensive assessments when a patient first enters the facility for skilled nursing services. Subsequent skilled nursing care visits are billed using CPT codes 99307 to 99310.

HCPCS code G0152 refers to the skilled nursing care services provided in a home health setting, typically billed for each 15-minute unit of skilled nursing care rendered to a patient at home under a physician’s plan of care.