The Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi Virtual Visit Billing Guides have been updated with the most recent payor telehealth policy changes! As we mentioned last month, the COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) was renewed for another 90 days, therefore it is now set to expire October 17th, 2021. Until the COVID-19 Federal PHE expires, most payors will continue with their current telehealth flexibilities and cost sharing waivers. Below are more detailed updates for all payors:
BCBS ARKANSAS
- Cost sharing for telehealth services not related to COVID-19 will end September 30th, 2021. Effective October 1st, 2021 through the end of the PHE, AR BCBS will waive member cost sharing for telehealth visits that result in the evaluation or administration of a COVID-19 diagnostic test or any visit with COVID-19 as a primary diagnosis code.
MEDICARE
- Updated their telehealth allowable code list with the following:
- CPT 97112 and 97116 are now available for use up through the year in which the PHE ends.
- CPT 90952 was added permanently to the allowable telehealth code set.
- CPT 97112, 97116, and 96158 were removed as temporary additions for the COVID-19 PHE.
- CPT 92588 was added a temporary addition for the COVID-19 PHE.
