Category: Telehealth Medicine

CMS Provides Billing Instructions for Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) Telecommunications Add-On Codes

February 18, 2025

CMS Provides Billing Instructions for Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) Telecommunications Add-On Codes

In the 2025 Final Physician Fee Schedule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized important updates for Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) aligning with regulations previously adopted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These changes aim to enhance access to care for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) by expanding telehealth options.

Key Updates include:

  • Periodic assessments may now be conducted via audio-only technology on a permanent basis if live video is unavailable, as long as they meet all applicable SAMHSA and DEA requirements.
  • The OTPs intake add-on code (G2076) can now be billed when using live video for the initiation of methadone treatment.

As a result of these changes, CMS has updated its Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) webpage to reflect proper billing practices. OTPs should use the following HCPCS add-on codes when treating eligible patients:

  • G2076 – Used to initiate buprenorphine or methadone treatment via two-way interactive audio-video or audio-only technology when video is unavailable.
  • G2077 – covers periodic patient assessments via audio-only technology when video is unavailable.
  • G2080 – Applies to additional counseling or therapy provided via audio-only technology when video is unavailable.

For more details on the finalized policy, review the 2025 Final Physician Fee Schedule.

To learn more about billing and G-codes for OTPs, visit the CMS Opioid Treatment Program webpage.

Click Here to go to 2025 Final Physician Fee Schedule

Click Here to go to CMS Opioid Treatment Program webpage.

Telehealth Resources for Providers and Patients

February 18, 2025

Telehealth Resources for Providers and Patients

Please click on the links below to access these telehealth resources for both patients and providers:

RTRC Telehealth Policy Brief Highlights Need for More Health Equity Focused Research

January 7, 2025

RTRC Telehealth Policy Brief Highlights Need for More Health Equity Focused Research

In December 2024, the Rural Telehealth Research Center (RTRC) released a Research and Policy Brief titled, The Role of Relaxed Telehealth Policy on Health Equity in Telehealth Utilization and Outcomes During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: A Living Systematic Review.

The brief underscores the significant telehealth policy changes that have occurred since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as the foundation for enabling the ability to better understand the variety of implications of increased telehealth use, such as access to care, health outcomes, and cost. For this study in particular, the RTRC sought to conduct a systematic review of the ways in which telehealth has been shown to address health disparities.

Click Here to read Policy Brief

Patient Resource: Can I Use Telehealth for Emergency Care?

January 7, 2025

Patient Resource: Can I Use Telehealth for Emergency Care?

There are many ways that telehealth can help with emergency medical care. Share this resource with patients so they can learn the ways that telehealth can support care during medical emergencies.

Topics Covered:

  • How is telehealth used in emergencies?
  • What are the benefits of telehealth for emergency care?
  • What do I need to use telehealth?
  • How do I prepare for my telehealth appointment?

Click Here to learn more

Creating an Emergency Plan for Regular Telehealth Visits

January 7, 2025

Creating an Emergency Plan for Regular Telehealth Visits

Planning can go a long way to prepare you for an emergency situation during a telemedicine or telehealth appointment and set expectations with your patients.

With telehealth, you’re seeing patients outside of the safety and control of your office. An emergency situation may arise from a wide range of causes, including a mental health crisis, stroke/heart attack, overdose, etc.

Click Here to learn how to plan for an emergency situation during a telehealth appointment.

Click Here to Read Patient Safety and Emergency Management from the American Psychiatric Association

Federal legislation continues to expand and extend telehealth services. Click Here to read more

Telehealth for Emergency Preparedness Best Practice Guide

January 7, 2025

Telehealth for Emergency Preparedness Best Practice Guide

Telehealth is important to providing medical care during an emergency, such as a pandemic or natural disaster. Providers can use telehealth to perform quick assessments, triage patients, and deliver patient care. Integrating telehealth into emergency preparedness plans is essential.

This best practice guide provides detailed information and resources on using telehealth for emergency preparedness.

Click Here to View the Best Practice Guide

Telehealth Policy Update

January 7, 2025

Telehealth Policy Update

Recent legislation authorized an extension of many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities. This includes:

  • Waiving geographic and originating site requirements through March 31, 2025,
  • Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services through March 31, 2025,
  • Allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to serve as distant site providers through March 31, 2025,
  • Delaying in-person requirements for tele-mental health services through April 1, 2025, and
  • Allowing audio-only telehealth through March 31, 2025.

Other recent updates include Medicare telehealth policies in the Calendar Year 2025 Physician Fee Schedule and a temporary extension for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth.

Click Here to see legislation

Click Here to see Calendar Year 2025 Physician Fee Schedule

Click Here to see temporary extension for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth

Telehealth Policy Update

December 31, 2024

Telehealth Policy Update

Recent legislation authorized an extension of many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities. This includes:

  • Waiving geographic and originating site requirements through March 31, 2025.
  • Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services through March 31,2025.
  • Allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to serve as distant site providers through March 31, 2025.
  • For 2025 and 2026, FQHCs and RHCs will be paid for telehealth services under the FQHC prospective payment system or the RHC all-inclusive rates, respectively.
  • Delaying the in-person requirements for tele-mental health services through April 1, 2025.
  • Allowing audio-only telehealth through March 31, 2025.

Click Here to Read More

Telehealth Policy Update

November 19, 2024

Telehealth Policy Update

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule and CY2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule, which include telehealth policies.

Absent Congressional action, the statutory limitations in place for Medicare telehealth services prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency will take effect for most telehealth services beginning January 1, 2025.

Click Here to Read More

Best Practices Guide: Using Telehealth in Hybrid Care

October 29, 2024

Best Practices Guide: Using Telehealth in Hybrid Care

A hybrid care approach uses a combination of virtual and in-person appointments to deliver appropriate care.

Hybrid telehealth, also called integrated care, combines in-person health care appointments with telehealth. This approach prioritizes the joint decision between the patient and their provider regarding whether and when a virtual visit is appropriate. A hybrid care approach offers flexible access to health care. This is especially useful for people who have difficulty getting to the provider’s office or need frequent care.

This best practice guide provides detailed information and resources for providers and health care organizations on how to use a hybrid care approach that integrates telehealth and in-person care.

What’s in the guide:

  • How to get started
  • Developing a strategy for hybrid care
  • Billing for hybrid care services
  • Preparing patients for hybrid care

Click Here to Access the Guide