New coding guidance: 3 questions about new communication services and telehealth services

Why This Topic Matters

Confusion between telehealth and communication-based services can affect claim reporting and compliance. The article is relevant for practices that bill Medicare and want to understand the policy framework surrounding these services.

Article Sections

1. Medicare guidance and telehealth vs. virtual communication services

   Introduces Medicare’s 2019 physician fee schedule context and explains that telehealth and virtual communication services are treated as separate service types. Includes general discussion of technology-based communication and why the distinction matters for billing.

2. Q&A on place of service and modifier use

   Summarizes questions from a live presentation about reporting conventions for virtual communication and telehealth services. Covers broad distinctions in how claims are reported under Medicare policy.

3. Q&A on telehealth in the patient’s home and geographic rules

   Addresses a question about telehealth when the patient is at home and references Medicare’s geographic and originating site requirements. Also mentions a narrow exception described in the article.

4. Communications-based G code descriptors

   Introduces the communications-based service codes discussed in the article and presents their official descriptors.