Wiki telemedicine

[ehughes]

I am getting really confused. I need help understanding about 98966-98968 and 99441-99443 for patients for which video and audio services cannot be implemented. We have been using the G2012 for telephone. Can someone please help me understand all this. I think I am confusing myself even more than I should be.

 

[brios82]

I found this algorithm very helpful when deciding which to use. Hope it helps!

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_algorithm.html?cmpid=em_FPM_20200325

 

[ehughes]

I found this algorithm very helpful when deciding which to use. Hope it helps!

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_algorithm.html?cmpid=em_FPM_20200325

It is helpful in some ways but I am still confused about the difference of the G2012 and 99441-99443. Are the 99441-99443 taking place of the G2012 for telephone based calls? I just want to make sure I am understanding correctly so I can let my doctors know the correct codes.

 

[csperoni]

For a telephone encounter, G2012 & 99441 are basically the same. There are some subtle differences in G2012 that allow for communication technology other than telephone. Medicare however (until 03/31/20), did not cover 99441-99443; they do allow it now. Commercial carriers are all over the place in whether they want G2012 or 99441-99443 for telephone encounters.
The best part about Medicare now allowing 99441-99443 is for telephone encounters > 10 minutes. You can now get a larger reimbursement for a longer time.
And of course, the rules could change tomorrow.