Spotlight
Spotlights
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) - Updates for RHCs
To provide as much support as possible to RHCs and their patients during the COVID-19 (PHE), we have made several changes to RHC requirements and payments. These changes are for the duration of the COVID-19 PHE, and we will continue to review our policies as the situation evolves. For additional information, please see the link: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/03092020-covid-19-faqs-508.pdf (PDF)
- New Payment for Telehealth Services for RHCs and FQHCs
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. Section 3704 of the CARES Act authorizes RHCs and FQHCs to furnish distant site telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 PHE. Medicare telehealth services generally require an interactive audio and video telecommunications system that permits real-time communication between the practitioner and the patient. RHCs and FQHCs with this capability can immediately provide and be paid for telehealth services to patients covered by Medicare for the duration of the COVID-19 PHE.
Distant site telehealth services can be furnished by any health care practitioner working for the RHC or the FQHC within their scope of practice. Practitioners can furnish distant site telehealth services from any location, including their home, during the time that they are working for the RHC or FQHC, and can furnish any telehealth service that is approved as a distant site telehealth service under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). A list of these services can be found here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth/Telehealth-Codes. Payment to RHCs and FQHCs for distant site telehealth services is set at $92.
For additional information on payment, billing, and claims processing, see https://www.cms.gov/files/document/se20016.pdf (PDF) - Expansion of Virtual Communication Services for RHCs
Payment for virtual communication services now include digital assessment services. Digital assessment services are non-face-to-face, patient-initiated, digital communications using a secure online patient portal. The digital assessment codes that are billable during the COVID-19 PHE are CPT code 99421 (5-10 minutes over a 7-day period), CPT code 99422 (11-20 minutes over a 7-day period), and CPT code 99423 (21 minutes or more over a 7-day period).
To receive payment for the new digital assessment service or virtual communication services (HCPCS codes G2012 and G2010), RHCs must submit an RHC claim with HCPCS code G0071 (Virtual Communication Services) either alone or with other payable services. For claims submitted with HCPCS code G0071 on or after March 1, 2020, and for the duration of the COVID-19 PHE, payment for HCPCS code G0071 is set at the average of the national non-facility PFS payment rates for these 5 codes. Claims for G0071 will be paid at the CY 2020 rate of $13.53 and later reprocessed with the new rate of $24.76.
- Revision of RHC Home Health Agency Shortage Requirement for Visiting Nursing Services
RHCs can bill for visiting nursing services furnished by an RN or LPN to homebound individuals under a written plan of treatment in areas with a shortage of home health agencies (HHAs). Effective March 1, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 PHE, the area typically served by the RHC is determined to have a shortage of home health agencies, and no request for this determination is required. RHCs must check the HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System (HETS) before providing visiting nurse services to ensure that the patient is not already under a home health plan of care.
New Virtual Communication Services
Effective January 1, 2019, RHCs can receive payment for Virtual Communication services when at least 5 minutes of communication technology-based or remote evaluation services are furnished by an RHC practitioner to a patient who has had an RHC billable visit within the previous year, and both of the following requirements are met:
- The medical discussion or remote evaluation is for a condition not related to an RHC service provided within the previous 7 days, and
- The medical discussion or remote evaluation does not lead to an RHC visit within the next 24 hours or at the soonest available appointment.
To receive payment for Virtual Communication services, RHCs must submit an RHC claim with HCPCS code G0071 (Virtual Communication Services) either alone or with other payable services. Payment for G0071 is set at the average of the national non-facility PFS payment rates for HCPCS code G2012 (communication technology-based services) and HCPCS code G2010 (remote evaluation services) and is updated annually based on the PFS national non-facility payment rate for these codes. See Virtual Communication Services Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
RHC face-to-face requirements are waived when these services are furnished to an RHC patient, and coinsurance and deductibles apply.
Questions on RHC Issues?
Email RHC@cms.hhs.gov
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Spotlights
- Go to the Spotlight page for the latest MLN products and announcements! Check it often!