Wiki New Patient Telephone E/M

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule(www.cms.gov) that made many significant Medicare payment policy changes effective March 1, 2020, and for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The rule included several highlights for family physicians.

CMS added Medicare coverage of and payment for telephone evaluation and management (E/M) services (CPT codes 99441-99443). Although the code descriptors only reference “established patients,” CMS will cover and pay for both new and established patients during the emergency. In fact, CMS now allows almost all telehealth, virtual check-ins, and e-visits to be provided to any patient – new or established.


 
Top