Medicare Communications-based Technology Codes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took steps to modernize the Medicare program by expanding reimbursement opportunities for communications-based services, including telephone interactions, patient-submitted photos, and interprofessional consultations effective Jan. 1, 2019. CMS determined these services are not considered to be Medicare telehealth services, which means they are not subject to the statutory restrictions providing originating site limitations and rural geographic requirements. As such, new communications-based services can be furnished even when a patient is in their home. Additionally, billing guidance for telehealth services, including use of telehealth place of service code and modifiers, should not be used for these codes.

This resource provides an overview of the new services and billing requirements.