Telemedicine in the time of COVID-19

Telemedicine in the time of COVID-19
Re-recorded July 15th, 2020

The coding and reimbursement rules for telehealth changed fast in March. Congress passed a law relaxing certain telemedicine restrictions during the period of a government state of emergency. CMS released rules ten days later with instructions on billing for telehealth, and reminding practices of other non-face-to-face services that can be reported. Some private payers are following suit. This webinar will describe the new telehealth Medicare rules. Join us to learn about CPT coding for telehealth, diagnosis coding, and the type of communication that can be used for telehealth services.

After the webinar, participants will be able to:

Find the CPT and HCPCS codes that may be reported via telehealth
Describe the updated CMS Medicare rules
Select accurate diagnosis codes for COVID-19

We have posted a Telemedicine FAQ page as well. Please check that regularly for updates that may occur after the recording of this webinar.

Download handout

To request the CEU, watch the video and complete the post-test below. Please note: AAPC requiers a score of 70% correct or better to receive CEU credit.

Beginning March 6, 2020 Medicare has relaxed the restrictions on telehealth. Which of these is still required?

a) Use of two-way, real-time audio and visual communication platform
b) The distance from the patient’s home to the medical practice is greater than 50 miles
c) The patient is homebound
d) The patient is located in a health professional shortage area, or outside of a metropolitan statistical area

True or false: All CPT codes may be billed via telehealth?

a) True
b) False

During the public health emergency, what is the rule concerning HIPAA privacy and telemedicine platforms?

a) Only HIPAA compliant platforms may be used
b) The platform must integrate with the electronic health record
c) HIPAA privacy rule is waived, any platform may be used, including Facetime
d) The platform must be part of a certified EHR

Where is the list of covered telehealth services for Medicare patients?

a) In the updated excel file published by CMS
b) Appendix P of the CPT book
c) All CPT codes may be billed using telehealth
d) Any code listed in the E/M section of the CPT book

CMS changed the rule about using time to select a telemedicine office visit (99201—99215). During the public health emergency, when selecting a telehealth level of service based on time, what can be included?

a) Medical assistant chart prep time
b) Practitioner total time for the day, including face-to-face and non-face-to-face activities
c) Practitioner “face-to-face” visit time with the patient, electronically, when counseling dominates the visit
d) Set up time in connecting to patient

Who can provide and bill for telehealth, per Medicare?

a) Physicians, NPs, PAs, CRNAs, social workers, psychologists, registered dieticians, nutrition professionals
b) Everyone in answer a, and physical therapists and occupational therapists
c) Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants (E/M services in scope of practice)
d) Any qualified health care professional

CMS also reminded clinicians that they could bill for what other non-face-to-face services?

a) Brief virtual check-in, remote evaluation of image/video, and on-line digital evaluation and assessment codes
b) CMS never pays for non face-to-face services
c) Tumor board meetings
d) Professional courtesy consults

True or false: during the public health emergency, virtual communication codes may be used for new or established patients?

a) True
b) False

If billing for a patient with confirmed COVID-19 with pneumonia, which code is sequenced first?

a) Either
b) U07.1
c) B97.29 other coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
d) B34.2 corona virus, unspecified

What diagnosis code should be used for a patient with known exposure to someone with COVID-19

a) B97.29 other coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
b) B34.2 corona virus, unspecified
c) Z20.828 contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases
d) Z03.818 encounter for observation for suspected exposure to other biological agents ruled out

*This program has the prior approval of AAPC for 1 continuing education credit. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.

**Webinar access is limited to one phone line per registration/membership. Your office staff can listen in via speakerphone or your computer’s audio connection. Additional connections subject to additional fees. If purchasing on-demand, and CEUs are offered, they are only available to the purchaser.