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05/07/2020
CMS issues new rule permitting audio-only telephone care for certain psychiatry codes
Retroactive to March 1
CMS Issues New Rule Permitting Audio-Only Telephone Care For Certain Psychiatry Codes Retroactive To March 1
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new rule permitting audio-only telephone care for the following psychiatry codes retroactive to March 1: 90785, 90791, 90792, 90832, 90833, 90834, 90836, 90837, 90838, 90839, 90840, 90845, 90846, 90847, and 90853.”
In addition, CMS “announced that it will be increasing payments for audio-only telephone visits between Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians to match payments for similar office and outpatient visits.”
For additional information, please see “the practice guidance page on APA’s COVID-19 Information Hub.” Commenting on the actions, American Psychiatric Association (APA) President Jeffrey Geller, MD, MPH, said in a statement, “We applaud CMS for taking this step to further increase access to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing for audio-only visits.” APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, stated, “We commend every action by CMS to increase access to telehealth so that our patients can access vital psychiatric services.”
