Billing for phone, internet services a stretch — but some opportunities exist

Why This Topic Matters

Phone and internet communications are common in practice management, but payment treatment varies by payer and service arrangement. Understanding the article helps readers identify where reimbursement may be possible, where it is not, and how communication-based services may fit into a practice’s revenue cycle or patient outreach strategy.

Article Sections

1. Reimbursement for telephone and online services

   Discusses general payment considerations for telephone and internet-based evaluation and management services, including differences between Medicare and private payer coverage.

2. Patient billing and claim handling

   Covers the option of charging patients for noncovered communication-based services and mentions claim handling considerations associated with denied Medicare claims.

3. Practice use cases and patient outreach

   Describes examples of how practices use phone, internet, and text-based communication as part of telehealth, membership models, and patient engagement.