Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: Can you tell me which telecommunication products that are allowed to use for telehealth visits?

Oregon Subscriber

Answer: The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) recently issued a notice outlining which video chat applications are, and are not, suitable for telehealth visits. HHS outlines the following well-known applications that providers may use to interact with patients:

• Apple FaceTime,
• Facebook Messenger video chat,
• Google Hangouts video, and
• Skype.

Furthermore, HHS further elaborates on communication products that “are HIPAA compliant and will enter into HIPAA business associate agreements (BAAs) in connection with the provision of their video communication products.” Some of these products include:

• Skype for Business/Microsoft Teams,
• Zoom for Healthcare,
• Doxy.me, and
• Google G Suite Hangouts Meet.

Note: Some of the non-HIPPA compliant applications are only temporarily permitted for use during the extent of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).