decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2019 Issue 1 (January)
E/M update: Communications-based services will require planning, good timing
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Article Overview
This article covers Medicare’s newly covered communication technology-based services and the practical planning issues they raise for physicians, non-physician practitioners, and billing staff. It focuses on general service categories, timing relationships to other care, patient consent, and workflow concerns that may also be relevant as private payers adopt similar policies.
Why This Topic Matters
These services create new reimbursement opportunities but also require careful coordination with existing E/M workflows, consent processes, and claim timing. Practices need to understand the broad coverage framework and operational hurdles to avoid billing errors and administrative rework.
Article Sections
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Overview of the new communication technology-based services
Introduces the Medicare coverage update and the broad types of services discussed in the article. Summarizes the context for why these services are being added and who may report them.
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Covered interprofessional and remote evaluation services
Describes the general categories of interprofessional consultative services and remote evaluation services that are addressed in the article. Notes the relationship to Medicare payment and the patient status requirements discussed by the source.
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Timing and relationship to E/M services
Explains the general timing considerations discussed for communication-based services and how they relate to other E/M activity. Covers the article’s focus on distinguishing these services from telehealth and from related visits.
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Consider the hurdles
Outlines operational issues practices should consider when implementing these services. The section focuses on consent, billing workflow, and collection concerns.
What You Will Learn
- The broad categories of communication technology-based services discussed in the Medicare update
- How the article frames timing relationships between these services and other E/M activity
- Why patient consent and documentation are operational priorities
- What workflow issues practices should plan for when offering these services
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Non-physician practitioners
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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