Telemedicine

The American Academy of Family Practice defines telemedicine as “the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance, over a telecommunications infrastructure, between a patient at an originating (spoke) site and a physician, or other practitioner licensed to practice medicine, at a distant (hub) site.”¹ Telemedicine is part of telehealth, but telehealth typically refers to a broader spectrum of care and applications.

Most states define telemedicine and/or telehealth, with some states distinguishing that telemedicine/telehealth does not include the use of telephone, texting, facsimile or email. Most definitions of telemedicine include audio and video components. The requirement for patients to consent to receive telemedicine services also varies by state.

Visits conducted  by telemedicine that are submitted to insurance will most likely require a code modifier. Some states have payment parity laws, which may restrict payers from restricting access to telemedicine or may require payers to pay for telemedicine, although payers may still construct networks as to prevent certain providers from being reimbursed for telemedicine.

Providers conducting telemedicine visits need to make sure that they choose a secure platform. Ideally, the telemedicine platform would be incorporated into practice’s EMR to streamline scheduling, charting and billing. Providers also need to check with their malpractice carrier regarding coverage for telemedicine, including any additional cost.

During COVID, many limitations of telemedicine have been set aside to increase access to care.  The Center for Connected Health Policy provides helpful guidance on state telehealth laws and reimbursement policies,  (CLICK HERE).

1: https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/telehealth-telemedicine.html