On April 10, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the FY 2021 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) proposed rule. To access the Fact Sheet on this proposed rule, click HERE. To access the proposed rule on the Federal Register, click HERE.

During a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “Office Hours” call on April 14, 2020, a participant asked if E-Visits (G2061, G2062 and G2063) and Virtual Check-Ins (G2010 and G2012) could be billed on a UB-04 claim form? In addition, a question was asked if you can bill HCPCS Level II codes for more than 1 7-day period? In this article, I will answer both questions. The answer from the CMS representative was I hope you found this article helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

During a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “Office Hours” call on April 14, 2020, I had the opportunity to ask CMS if a physical therapist or occupational therapist employed by a physician practice can provide a telehealth visit and have that telehealth visit billed incident-to the physician (under the physicians NPI in Box 24J on the 1500-claim form)? The answer from the CMS representative was I hope you found this article and the answer to the question helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

QuestionWhat is the difference between an E-Visit and a Telehealth Visit? Answer I hope you found this article helpful. Click HERE to read the difference between an E-Visit and a Telephone Service. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

QuestionAs of April 15, 2020 at 5:00pm EDT, does the Medicare program pay for telehealth services provided by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist? Answer I hope you found the answer to this question to be a definitive answer. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

Due to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have designated the following CPT codes and HCPCS Level II codes as “sometimes therapy” CPT codes: G2010: Remote evaluation of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment G2012: Brief communication technology-based

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule titled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency“. In this interim final rule, CMS did add CPT codes that are typically billed by physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as covered telehealth services; however, they did not add PTs, OTs and SLPs as telehealth providers. This led many to ask why would CMS add these CPT codes to the list of covered therapy services if they did not add PTs,

While we wait for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to add physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists as telehealth providers for outpatient therapy services, a question I am receiving is how does this relate to Medicare Advantage plans. What you need to remember is that traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantages plans are not the same. Regarding Medicare Advantage plans and do they pay for telehealth services for outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services is Medicare Advantage plan specific. You must contact each insurance carrier to see if they have expanded telehealth services to include outpatient