05/06/2020

Updated - MSHO Telehealth Coverage Updates

MSHO is supporting our members by creating payer resources, clarifying coding and billing requirements, inquiring with and tracking payer policies and creating a Telehealth FAQ.  If you are looking for information you cannot find, PLEASE let us know by emailing billing@msho.org.

Announced this week ....  Parity in reimbursement for Telehealth phone calls to patients!

A sign-on letter from many National Societies, including ASCO and ASH, was sent to CMS explaining the need for payment parity for phone call management of our patients.   Doctors have reported that they “have been able to conduct successful audio-only telephone visits with patients, in lieu of in-person or telehealth visits, obtaining about 90% of the information they would collect using audio and video capable equipment.”  CMS listened and, retroactively to March 1, has included the phone calls codes to the list of E/M Telehealth approved services and increased reimbursement commensurate to office visit codes.  Previously, payments for audio-only telephone services for Medicare beneficiaries ranged between $14 and $41. This has been raised to a range between $46 and $110 with the higher rates retroactive to March 1, 2020.

To read the press release CLICK HERE

As always, if you have any questions, please email billing@msho.org.