Spotlight
Spotlights
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.
New RHC Care Management Services
Effective January 1, 2018, RHCs can receive payment for Chronic Care Management (CCM) or general Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) services when 20 minutes or more of CCM or general BHI services are furnished and G0511 is billed either alone or with other payable services on an RHC claim.
Effective January 1, 2018, RHCs can receive payment for psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) services when 70 minutes or more of initial psychiatric CoCM services or 60 minutes or more of subsequent psychiatric CoCM services are furnished and G0512 is billed either alone or with other payable services on an RHC claim.
CCM services furnished on or before December 31, 2017 will continue to be processed and paid when CPT code 99490 is billed alone or with other payable services on an RHC claim. Service lines reported with CPT code 99490 will be denied for dates of service on or after January 1, 2018. See Care Management Services in RHCs and FQHCs - FAQs - (Updated on 12/06/2019) (PDF) .
Questions on RHC Issues?
Email RHC@cms.hhs.gov
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