## **What is the HCPCS code G0155 for?**
Code G0155 is one of several revenue codes and home health billing codes for billing services performed by specific kinds of healthcare professionals and groups (qualified home health providers, direct skilled nursing services/skilled nursing personnel, qualified speech language pathologists, medical social services, therapeutic services, home health agencies, qualified physical therapist assistants, qualified occupational therapist assistants, licensed practical nurses/registered nurses, etc.) who provide home health services.
G0155 refers to the tailored services performed by a qualified clinical social worker in the hospice or home health setting, each 15 minutes (meaning the session is only 15 minutes). If you provide home services that include social work, and you're looking for a code to use, this is one of them.
This code is often used for services that are provided to patients and/or their families who are dealing with emotional and social challenges that have been impacted by illness or physical problems. Examples include people impacted by terminal illness requiring hospice care, those with chronic illnesses, those dealing with mental distress due to medical conditions, those dealing with the effects of behavioral disorders, and those who need emotional and social support due to the struggles of end-of-life care.
The goal of these essential non-skilled care is to improve the overall well-being and quality of life of the patient, their family, and even home health aides or licensed nurses assisting them.
## **Documentation requirements for G0155**
As with any service rendered, the service provider needs to document everything accordingly. For G0155, the clinical social worker who conducted the session must document the following:
- The clinical social worker's full name and credentials
- The patient's full name
- The patient's medical history
- The patient's current and prior functional status
- The names of patient's family members
- 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., counseling, group therapy, etc.)
- Patient's response to the services provided, including the response of their family
- Goals (e.g., improved mental well-being, better communication amongst family, better coping strategies)
- Patient's response toward established goals
- Any updates to plans (if there have been established plans before the session)
## **Billing requirements for G0155**
In addition to the documentation requirements above, billing requirements include following proper 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.
The billing should also reflect services delivered in a home health or hospice setting, and the claim must be supported by a plan of care.
## **Other similar codes**
- G0151 – Physical therapy in home health/hospice, each 15 minutes
- G0152 – Occupational therapy in home health/hospice, each 15 minutes
- G0153 – Speech-language pathology in home health/hospice, each 15 minutes
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