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Telehealth for emergency preparedness

Billing for telehealth services

Learn about policies and reimbursement for telehealth services.

Medicare

Medicare policies for telehealth continue to evolve. For the latest information, view the list of telehealth services. The following Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes are frequently used to bill for telehealth services. Coding guidance is subject to change.

CPT/HCPCs CodesDescriptionTimeAudio-only coveragePermanent coverage for telehealth
90791Psychological diagnostic evaluationUp to 90 minYesYes
90792Psychological diagnostic evaluation with medical services1-2 hoursYes Yes
90839Psychotherapy for crisis60 minYesYes
90840Psychotherapy for crisisAdditional 30 minYesYes
99441Telephone call for evaluation and management5-10 minYesNo
99442Telephone call for evaluation and management11-20 minYesNo
99443Telephone call for evaluation and management21-30 minYesNo
99281Emergency department visit, straightforwardN/ANoNo
99282Emergency department visit, self-limited or minorN/ANoNo
99283Emergency department visit, low complexityN/ANoNo
99284Emergency department visit, moderate complexityN/ANoNo
99285Emergency department visit, high complexityN/ANoNo
99291Critical careUp to 60 minNoNo
99292Critical care, additional timeAdditional 30 minNoNo
G0508Critical care consultation60 minNoYes
G0509Critical care consultationAdditional 50 minNoYes

Medicaid

Each state has its own billing and reimbursement policies. For tips on Medicaid policies, visit Medicaid and Medicare overview.

Private insurance

Find out if the patient has private insurance. If so, check with the patient’s insurance company for information on their billing and reimbursement policies. For tips on private insurance policies, look up policy by jurisdiction.

More information:

Billing for Providers- What should I know? (PDF) — Health Resources and Services Administration

Billing for telehealth — Health Resources and Services Administration

Medicare and Medicaid policies — Health Resources and Services Administration

Medicare payment policies — Health Resources and Services Administration

Telehealth policy — Health Resources and Services Administration

Understanding telehealth policy — National Telehealth Policy Resource Center