Medicare payment policies unshackled under CMS’ COVID-19 interim final rule

Why This Topic Matters

The rule affects how providers report and get paid for services delivered during the public health emergency and signals broader documentation shifts ahead. Understanding the scope of these interim changes helps organizations avoid billing errors and prepare for future evaluation and management updates.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the interim final rule

   Introduces the CMS interim final rule issued in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and summarizes the broad policy areas affected.

2. Updates and guidance from the rule

   Summarizes operational guidance and policy changes related to Medicare payment, telehealth, virtual services, and remote monitoring under the emergency rule.

3. Telehealth place of service guidance

   Discusses the place-of-service reporting approach CMS addresses for telehealth claims during the emergency period.

4. Interactive telecommunications devices

   Clarifies CMS’s description of the technology used to support telehealth communication during the public health emergency.

5. Phone E/M codes payable, can be used on new patients

   Covers telephone evaluation and management services and the types of practitioners and patients associated with these services under the emergency policy.

6. Check-in and e-visits for new patients, NPPs

   Addresses virtual check-ins and e-visits and the categories of patients and practitioners affected by the policy change.

7. Remote physiological monitoring OK for new patients

   Summarizes temporary Medicare coverage changes for remote physiological monitoring and related beneficiary consent expectations.