Billing for Telehealth services
Telehealth services are coming into the spotlight after the pandemic. Telehealth and telemedicine are significant parts of healthcare practice. With the increasing number of providers, including telehealth services, UControl Billing also practices medical billing for telehealth services. It is one of the best medical billing companies in the U.S.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of electronic media and telecommunications technologies that transmit data in the form of words, audio, video all over the world. It is also used to consult clinical health care via mobile phones, computers, laptops, and other technology. Telecommunication technologies also include the internet, video conferencing, images, media and all other wireless communications. It helps in the long-distance relationship between the doctors and patients. Moreover, it helps in the professional and patient health-related education, public and health bodies as well.
What is the difference between telehealth, telemedicine and telecare?
There is not much difference; there are just subtle differences in these terms.
Telehealth
In general, telecare and telemedicine are generally covered within the broader scope of the term telehealth. Both practices are essential parts of telehealth services and the medical field. In a broader sense, telehealth covers services such as healthcare education and remote monitoring (bp, ECG,patient-doctor consultation), also considered in telemedicine. Moreover, telehealth technology enables the remote diagnoses and evaluation of patients and remotely detect fluctuations in the patient’s medical condition at home. It also allows for e-prescribe medications and remotely prescribed treatments. The medicines or the specific therapy can alter according to the health condition.
Telecare
Telecare is the technology that enables patients to stay in their comfort zone while staying in their homes. Telecare includes all types of telecommunication, medical alert systems, mobile monitoring devices and wireless services through which patients and doctors can interact with each other. Telecare also enables alerts or push notifications, and it also helps in emergencies and tracking lifestyles.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is the term that provides digital and remote clinical services to patients. It is the digital transmission of medical imaging, remote medical diagnosis and evaluations, and video consultations with specialists. This term has a narrower scope than telehealth. It is more related to education through telecommunication technology.
Types of virtual telehealth billing services:
UControl medical billing Company provides:
- TYPE OF SERVICE:
Medical Telehealth Visit
WHAT IS THE SERVICE:
It is a particular (5-10 mins) visit with a provider that uses telecommunication between a provider and the patient.
HCPCS/ CPT CODE:
Standard health service includes:
99201-99215 (Office or other outpatient visits)
G0425-G0427 (Telehealth consultations, emergency department or initial inpatient)
G0406-G0408 (Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations furnished to beneficiaries in hospital or SNFs)
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROVIDER:
It is for new* or established patients.
*To the extent the 1135 waiver requires an established relationship, HHS will not conduct audits that such a prior relationship existed during this public health emergency.
- TYPE OF SERVICE
Virtual Check-In
WHAT IS THE SERVICE:
A brief (5-10 minutes) check with your practitioner via telephone or other telecommunications device to decide whether an office visit or other telecoms. It includes remote assessment of the recorded video and images submitted by an established patient.
HCPCS/ CPT CODE:
HCPCS code G2012
HCPCS Code G2010
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROVIDER:
It is for established patients.
- TYPE OF SERVICE
E-VISITS
WHAT IS THE SERVICE:
It is a conversation between a patient and their provider through an online portal.
HCPCS/ CPT CODE:
99431
99422
99423
G2061
G2062
G2063
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROVIDER:
It is for established patients.
Reference:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth/Telehealth-Codes=
Why is telehealth billing necessary?
Telehealth billing is necessary because it is complicated, as the new rules are forming and day by day studies are emerging. Different regulations and studies can change medical billing practices. UControl Billing also outsource medical billing; it provides:
Telemedicine will cover all the central government and private insurances of patients.
Verify the patient plan before delivering the services
Telemedicine rules are changing daily, so; it is better to know the place of service and code modifier.
Benefits of outsourcing telehealth medical billing health services:
- Usage of new business models
- Improves patient engagement with remote monitoring
- Expands access to care and reaches more patients
- Improves clinical workflows and increases practice efficiency
- Increases practice revenue
- Reduces practice overhead
- Cuts patient costs
- Improves healthcare quality
- Reduces patient no-shows
- Improves patient satisfaction
Wrap up!
Telehealth is getting challenging in this modern era of digital communication and technology. As far as patient care is concerned, the demand for telehealth is increasing day by day. Moreover, the severe challenges for the medical providers are rising dramatically as well in medical healthcare. The workload on the healthcare providers is increasing, especially in COVID-19; it was hard to be consistent with the growing number of patients. The billing staff was unable to present because of their health issues. Medical billing companies allow outsourcing medical billing, and it should solve all the problems of the telehealth industry. UControl Billing is a client-focused solution provider, and they are committed to their clients and healthcare providers professionally! They provide medical billing services through certified billers and coders and review all your patient claims before submission. Furthermore, they accurately research the insurance coverage before seeing the patient and choose the right CPT Code when a patient visit is complete. It saves your practice from wasting your time, energy and effort on medical billing tasks.