CPT® Code 96203

Add-On Code

Multiple-family group behavior management/modification training for parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver(s) of patients with a mental or physical health diagnosis, administered by physician or other qualified health care professional (without the patient present), face-to-face with multiple sets of parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver(s); each additional 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary service)

The CPT® Code 96203 refers to a specialized service involving multiple-family group behavior management or modification training. This training is specifically designed for parent(s), guardian(s), or caregiver(s) of patients who have a mental or physical health diagnosis. The service is administered by a physician or another qualified healthcare professional and is conducted face-to-face with multiple sets of caregivers, without the patient being present. The primary objective of this training is to equip caregivers with the necessary skills to modify problematic behaviors exhibited by the patient, transforming them into more positive and acceptable behaviors through techniques such as operant conditioning, which includes the use of consequences and rewards.

During these sessions, caregivers learn various interventions that can be employed to effectively manage the patient's responses to their illness. This includes structuring the patient's environment in a way that reinforces desired behaviors while minimizing the negative impact of the illness on daily life. The training aims to enhance compliance with the patient's care plan and treatment regimen while providing caregivers with practical strategies for managing specific behaviors. The healthcare professional may utilize a range of teaching methods, including verbal instruction, live or recorded demonstrations, role-playing with feedback, and other interactive techniques to convey motivational strategies and technical management skills.

It is important to note that this service is not intended for risk management, preventive medicine counseling, support group therapy, or merely providing informational lectures about the disease or illness. Instead, the focus is on active interventions that empower parent(s) or caregiver(s) to engage in effective behavior management and stimulus response modification as part of the patient's treatment plan. For billing purposes, the initial 60 minutes of this service is reported using CPT® Code 96202, while each additional 15 minutes is reported with CPT® Code 96203.