Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Medicare MNT coverage now includes individual medical nutrition therapy (MNT) delivered by an interactive telecommunications system.

According to a CMS transmittal, The use of a telecommunications system may substitute for a face-toface,hands on encounter for consultations, office visits, individual psychotherapy, pharmacologic management, psychiatric diagnostic interview examination, end stage renal disease related services,and individual medical nutrition therapy.

Catch: Youve got to use a G modifier.

Medicare telehealth services include individual MNT as described by G0270 (Medical nutrition therapy; reassessment and subsequent intervention[s] following second referral in same year for change in diagnosis, medical condition, or treatment regimen [including additional hours needed for renal disease], individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes); 97802 (Medical nutrition therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes); and 97803 (... reassessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes). The telehealth modifiers GT (Via interactive audio and video telecommunications system) and GQ (Via asynchronous telecommunications system) are valid when billed with these HCPCS codes.