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CMS-1403-FC
In the CY 2009 PFS proposed rule, we proposed to
create a new series of HCPCS codes for follow-up inpatient
telehealth consultations. Practitioners would use these
codes to submit claims to their Medicare contractors for
payment of follow-up inpatient consultations provided via
telehealth. We proposed that the new HCPCS codes would be
limited to the range of services included in the scope of
the previous CPT codes for follow-up inpatient
consultations, and the descriptions would be modified to
limit the use of such services for telehealth. The HCPCS
codes would clearly designate these services as follow-up
inpatient consultations provided via telehealth, and not
subsequent hospital care used for inpatient visits.
Utilization of these codes would allow for payment for
these services, as well as enable us to monitor whether the
codes are used appropriately. We also proposed to
establish the RVUs for these services at the same level as
the RVUs established for subsequent hospital care (as
described by CPT codes 99231 through 99233). We believe
this is appropriate because a physician or practitioner
furnishing a telehealth service is paid an amount equal to
the amount that would have been paid if the service had
been furnished without the use of a telecommunication
system. Since physicians and practitioners furnishing
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