HCPCS Code S5150: Unskilled Respite Care, Not Hospice; Per 15 Minutes

No, it only covers unskilled respite care, such as caregiver relief or basic daily assistance. Skilled nursing tasks and work should be billed using separate codes.

Yes, as long as each segment is billed in 15-minute increments, and the payer’s policy allows overnight or extended care. If the duration exceeds several hours, check if a per diem code like S5151 applies instead.

It depends on the payer. Some state Medicaid programs or private insurers may require prior authorization for respite care services. Always verify with the specific payer’s policy before billing.