Billing for Parent & Caregiver Training: What Illinois SLPs Need to Know

Billing for Parent & Caregiver Training: What Illinois SLPs Need to Know

Published in the January 2026 issue of the ISHA Voice.

By Candice Grudowski, member of the Billing and Reimbursement Committee. 

Parent and caregiver coaching has always been a cornerstone of effective speech-language intervention across the lifespan. As of January 1, 2024, Medicare formally recognizes this work through new caregiver training CPT codes, offering SLPs a clearer pathway to bill for structured caregiver education delivered without the patient present.

These codes are most relevant to outpatient and private-practice settings billing Medicare Part B, though some commercial payers may also allow reimbursement.

What Counts as Caregiver Training?

Caregiver Training Services (CTS) refer to face-to-face instruction provided to a caregiver that supports a patient’s functional performance at home or in the community. For SLPs, this may include training related to:

• Communication strategies
• Feeding and swallowing supports
• Safety, problem solving, or functional participation
• Carryover of therapy goals into daily routines

Importantly, CMS now recognizes that caregiver training can be reasonable and necessary, even when the patient is not present, provided it directly supports the established plan of care.

New CPT Codes (Effective January 1, 2024)

• 97550 – Initial caregiver training, 30 minutes (individual, timed)
• 97551 – Each additional 15 minutes of individual caregiver training (timed)
• 97552 – Group caregiver training (untimed; billed per patient represented)

Key Billing Basics

• Services must be face-to-face (telehealth is not currently allowed).
• Training must align with the patient’s goals and plan of care.
• For 97550/97551, billing is per patient, not per caregiver.
• For 97552, bill once per patient represented, not per caregiver.
• SLPs must use the GN modifier.

Documentation Tips to Support Reimbursement