Technology is taking over in almost every industry, including health care. CMS released the 2020 final rule, which includes telehealth and other technology-related changes. The 2020 rule will be effective January 1, 2020; however, not all changes apply to RHCs or FQHCs. Keep reading to understand why the changes don’t apply.
Consent for Communication Technology-Based Services (CTBS)
CMS is committed to improving patient care by reducing the amount of paperwork and streamlining its regulations! The Patients Over Paperwork initiative allows providers to obtain a single consent (at least once per year) from a patient covering multiple CTBS services or interprofessional consultation services.
New virtual care codes
CMS has introduced three new HCPCS G codes for bundled service treatments for opioid use disorders (OUD). The codes cover office-based treatments that are commonly remotely provided via technology.
CMS has not created a new G code for FQHC or RHC services, stating “RHCs and FQHCs that provide OUD services to their patients can bill for individual psychotherapy services using a range of CPT codes that are billable under the RHC all-inclusive rate (AIR) and FQHC Prospective Payment System (PPS) when furnished by an RHC or FQHC practitioner. These codes can be billed on the same day as a qualified primary care visit, and RHCs and FQHCs can also bill for care management services and receive payment in addition to their AIR or PPS payment.”
Remote patient monitoring (RPM)
Officially called “Chronic Care Remote Physiologic Monitoring,” CMS finalized two changes:
- RPM can be furnished “incident to” under general supervision; and
- CPT code 99458 is a new add-on code for patients who receive an additional 20 minutes of RPM services in a given month (i.e. 40 minutes of RPM services).
The rule does not apply for RHCs or FQHCs. “Services such as RPM are not separately billable because they are already included in the RHC AIR or FQHC PPS payment.”
Looking for more information? Check out CMS’ fact sheet.
