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UHC Telehealth Updates

The CMS fee schedule changes for audio-only codes, providers will continue to be reimbursed for audio-only visits at the rate they would receive for audio-video or in-person codes. 

The CMS rates for audio-only telephonic evaluation and management (E/M) codes, as well as virtual check-ins (which may be done by telephone) and e-visits for established patients for dates of service on or after March 1, 2020.

Audio-only visits and other services not requiring video technology include

Audio-only (telephone) E/M services 

  • 99441 - Telephone evaluation and management service by a physician or other qualified health care professional who may report evaluation and management services provided to an established patient, parent, or guardian not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5-10 minutes of medical discussion
  • 99442 - Telephone evaluation and management service by a physician or other qualified health care professional who may report evaluation and management services provided to an established patient, parent, or guardian not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 11-20 minutes of medical discussion
  • 99443 - Telephone evaluation and management service by a physician or other qualified health care professional who may report evaluation and management services provided to an established patient, parent, or guardian not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 21-30 minutes of medical discussion
Online digital E/M services/e-visits 
  • 99421 - Online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5-10 minutes
  • 99422 - Online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 11-20 minutes
  • 99423 - Online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes
  • 98970 - Qualified nonphysician health care professional online digital assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5-10 minutes
  • 98971 - Qualified nonphysician health care professional online digital assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 11-20 minutes
  • 98972 - Qualified nonphysician health care professional online digital assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes
Virtual check Codes
  • G2010 - Remote evaluation of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment
  • G2012 - Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a physician or other qualified health care professional who can report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5-10 minutes of medical discussion
And additional codes starting Jan. 1, 2021
  • G2250 - Remote assessment of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment
  • G2251 - Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a qualified health care professional who cannot report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5-10 minutes of clinical discussion
  • G2252 - Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a physician or other qualified health care professional who can report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 11-20 minutes of medical discussion

Audio and video visits and other services requiring video technology include,

  • The service rendered through “real-time;” a two-way, face-to-face interaction between a patient and a provider using audiovisual communications technology.
  • Office and or Outpatients CPT codes 99201 - 99215

Place Of Service 

United HealthCare initially covered the service when submitted with a place of service with modifier 95, but effective from Jan 1st, 2021, the UHC denied as the service billed with an inappropriate place of service or invalid.

The UHC shared the billing guidelines for telehealth states as following,

Starting Jan 1st, 2021, eligible telehealth service will be considered for reimbursement when reported with a place of service (POS) 02. Modifier 95, GT, GQ, GO not required and the place of service 02 will be considered the service rendered through telehealth.

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