Billing for telehealth during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, reimbursements for telehealth continue to evolve. The federal government, state Medicaid programs, and private insurers have expanded coverage for telehealth.

Did you know? During the COVID-19 public health emergency, any health care provider who is eligible to bill Medicare can bill for telehealth services regardless of where the patient or provider is located. For more information about what is covered, see:

Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services (video) — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
List of Telehealth Services — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Current State Laws & Reimbursement Policies — from the National Policy Telehealth Resource Center

Medicare payment policies during COVID-19

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has expanded coverage for telehealth services and providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Billing and coding Medicare Fee-for-Service claims

More Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) services are billable as telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Read the latest guidance on billing and coding FFS telehealth claims.

Billing Medicare as a safety-net provider

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) can bill Medicare for telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

State Medicaid telehealth coverage

Federal waivers allow broad coverage for telehealth through Medicaid, but reimbursement policies vary state to state.

Reimbursements for COVID-19 care of uninsured patients

The federal government is reimbursing health care providers for testing and treating uninsured individuals for COVID-19 — including related services provided via telehealth.

Private insurance coverage for telehealth

Many commercial health plans have broadened coverage for telehealth services in response to COVID-19.