In simple words: This code is used for temporary, non-medical care to give a family member or regular caregiver a break. The caregiver helps with things like bathing, dressing, meals, and light housework, and the code is billed for every 15 minutes of care.

This code covers unskilled respite care provided by a non-medical caregiver to relieve a primary caregiver for short periods, typically in 15-minute increments. It is not intended for hospice patients. The care often includes assistance with personal care, such as bathing, feeding, and grooming, as well as household tasks like housekeeping, shopping, and meal preparation.

Example 1: A family member cares for an elderly parent with dementia. To attend a doctor's appointment, they hire a caregiver to provide companionship and supervise the parent for two hours, billing four units of S5150., A child with a developmental disability lives at home. Their parents utilize respite care services for a few hours each week to rest and recharge. The caregiver helps the child with meals and activities, billing for the time in 15-minute increments., A spouse is the primary caregiver for their partner recovering from surgery. They schedule a caregiver to assist with light housekeeping, meal preparation, and errands for several hours to manage their own fatigue, billing appropriately for the time spent.

Documentation should support the medical necessity of the respite care, including the patient's condition and the caregiver's need for relief. The dates and times of service, the type of care provided, and the caregiver's qualifications should also be documented.

** This is a non-covered service under Medicare. It may be covered by Medicaid or private insurance in specific circumstances and may require prior authorization.