HCPCS Level II code S0255 denotes a hospice referral visit conducted by a nurse, social worker, or other designated staff to advise patients and families about hospice care options. Nationally, the code identifies encounters that support end-of-life decision-making, transitions to hospice services, and coordination of care — activities with implications for quality measurement, discharge planning, and payer coverage policies. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

This publication provides a concise overview of the clinical context for S0255, typical sites of service, and which payers commonly address coverage for hospice referral counseling. Readers will find a summary of expected service characteristics, common modifiers and billing considerations (listed separately), and the types of benchmarks and policy updates usually relevant to hospice referral services. The document is intended for clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on how hospice referral visits are coded and recognized across major payers. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.