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Attention providers:
What is changing?
Effective for dates of service on and after May 11, 2023, HCA will no longer cover emailing or texting as an option for providing services via telemedicine.
Why is this changing?
On April 7, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that the Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. This document allowed OCR to exercise discretion when determining whether to impose penalties for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) violations. Due to the end of this allowance, HCA will no longer cover emailing or texting as an option for providing services via telemedicine.
How does this impact physical health providers?
During the PHE, HCA considered texting and emailing a virtual check-in and allowed physical health providers to bill HCA for these check-ins using HCPCS code G2012. With the above change from OCR, virtual check-ins to include emailing and texting for physical health services will no longer be covered. Note: HCA still covers HCPCS code G2012 for physical health providers, but this procedure code must not be billed for emailing or texting.
HCA revised the Clinical policy and billing for COVID-19. See HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules, under Telehealth.
How does this impact providers using the Service Encounter Reporting Instructions (SERI), Mental Health Services Billing Guide, or Substance Use Disorder Billing Guide?
During the PHE, HCA considered emailing and texting a virtual check-in and allowed behavioral health services providers to bill HCA for these encounters using HCPCS code G2012. Effective for dates of service on and after May 11, 2023, virtual check-ins to include emailing and texting and HCPCS code G2012 are no longer allowable for behavioral health services.
HCA revised the Apple Health (Medicaid) behavioral health policy and billing during the COVID-19 (FAQ). See HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules, under Telehealth.
Email HCA with any questions.
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