The federal COVID-19 emergency is over.Texas Telemedicine
Telemedicine and Telehealth Services Texas Reimbursement Policy
Policy Type: Revised
Applies To: In-network Texas providers rendering telemedicine or telehealth services to members of fully-insured commercial medical plans subject to Texas Insurance Code (TIC) Chapter 1455.
Policy Implementation: Date of service
Effective Date: January 1, 2018
Revision Date: See Policy Revision Date
Applicable Insurance Code Section(s): TIC Sections 1455.001 - 1455.006; Texas Occupational Code Section 111.004
Payment policies are intended to ensure that providers are paid based on the code that most accurately describes the procedure performed, and may use CPT/HCPCS, CMS or other coding methodologies. Coding methodology, industry-standard payment logic, regulatory requirements, benefits design and other factors are considered in developing payment policies.
Policy
This policy addresses Texas Health + Aetna Life Insurance Company and Texas Health + Aetna Health Inc.’s guidelines regarding payment for telehealth and telemedicine services in Texas.
Services provided through telemedicine are considered as if they were provided face-to-face if the relevant standard of care requirements are met. Services are considered eligible if they are otherwise eligible under the plan. There are no CPT codes specific to telemedicine services.
Providers must bill with Place of Service 02 (Telehealth services) and/or modifier GT (via an asynchronous telecommunications system) or 95 (via a synchronous interactive audio and video telecommunications system) with an eligible CPT/HCPCS code. When physicians or healthcare professionals report modifier GT, they certify that they rendered services to a patient via an interactive audio and visual telecommunications system. HCPCS also eligible for coverage: 0188T, G0406, G0425, G0459, G0508, Q3014, S9110 and T1014.
We are not required to cover telehealth by only synchronous audio or asynchronous telecommunication interaction, including:
- An audio-only telephone consultation;
- A text only email message; or
- A fax.
Definitions/Glossary
-
Asynchronous Telecommunication
Synchronous Interactive Audio and Video Telecommunication, Interactive Audio and Visual Transmissions and Audio-Visual Communication Technology
Telehealth service
Telemedicine medical service
Policy Revision Date
- Effective 01/01/2018: Revised to reflect changes in Texas Occupations Code Section 111.004andTIC Chapter 1455.
- Effective 06/15/2001: Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1455 prohibits policy from requiring face-to-face contact between a health care provider and patient for delivery of care.
What's New
Health benefits and health insurance plans are offered and/or underwritten by Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc. and Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company (Texas Health Aetna). Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Texas Health Aetna are affiliates of Texas Health Resources and of Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). Aetna provides certain management services to Texas Health Aetna.
Self-funded plans are administered by Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company.
This material is for information only and is not an offer or invitation to contract. An application must be completed to obtain coverage. Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations. Providers are independent contractors and not our agents. Provider participation may change without notice. We do not provide care or guarantee access to health services. Not all health services are covered. See plan documents for a complete description of benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability are subject to change and may vary by location. If you are in a plan that requires the selection of a primary care physician and your primary care physician is part of an integrated delivery system or physician group, your primary care physician will generally refer you to specialists and hospitals that are part of the delivery system or physician group. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change.
Aetna, CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic, LLC (which either operates or provides certain management support services to MinuteClinic-branded walk-in clinics) are part of the CVS Health® family of companies. For a complete list of other participating pharmacies, log in to texashealthaetna.com
Physicians on the medical staff practice independently and are not agents or employees of the hospital or Texas Health Resources.
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