On July 15, 2016, CMS issued a proposed rule expanding payment under the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for telehealth services. The
proposed rule would add eight CPT codes to the list of services
eligible to be furnished via telehealth: (i) four codes for
end-stage renal disease dialysis services (90967, 90968, 90969,
90970); (ii) two codes for advance-care planning services,
including explanation and discussion of advance directives (99497,
99498); and (iii) two codes for critical care evaluation and
management (GTTT1, GTTT2). As part of the proposed rule, CMS also
responds to requests from stakeholders to establish a point of
service ("POS") code that identifies services provided
via telehealth. CMS proposes requiring the use of a telehealth POS
code at the distant site to indicate that a service has been
furnished via telehealth. The proposed rule is open for comment
through September 6, 2016, and it would take effect for services
beginning January 1, 2017.
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