Telehealth Services See Payment Increase in 2009

The 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule, published Nov. 19, 2008, produced a number of policy changes for health care professionals. Included in these changes is the payment amount for HCPCS Level II code Q3014 Telehealth originating site facility fee.

For 2009, the payment amount for Q3014 is 80 percent of the lowest actual charge or $23.72. This rate takes into account the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) increase of 1.6 percent.

Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for any unmet deductible amount or coinsurance, so an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is appropriate.

For more information regarding telehealth services and qualifying originating sites, refer to the CMS Internet-Only Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Pub 100-02, Chapter 15, Section 270 and the CMS Internet-Only Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04, Chapter 12, Section 190.

CMS recently released Transmittal 419, which contains this and other policies in the 2009 MPFS.

Related posts:

1. Telehealth Service Sites Expand
2. CMS Issues 2009 OPPS Update
3. 2009 PFS Changes Anti-Markup Payment Limitations
4. CMS Clarifies DOS for Ambulance Services
5. Important Changes in April 2009 OPPS Update

One Response to “Telehealth Services See Payment Increase in 2009”

1. lurae Says:
   January 8th, 2009 at 10:47 pm

   Will all insurance carrier cover this benefit?

Add a Comment