Telemedicine-Specific Billing Code
Ever heard of CPT code 99444? Maybe you’ve used it only a few times before. It’s used for “online evaluative and management service” and in some cases has become the stand-in code for telemedicine services. 

Because the purpose of the code is really just to tell the payer that consultation happened online — and there isn’t quite as much associated description of the medical procedures, treatment, or duration — this code seems to be used less often to bill for telemedicine. However, it’s a good one for healthcare providers to know about. Some insurance companies may prefer you to use this code.

Medicare Telemedicine Billing Codes

Are you offering telemedicine services to traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage patients? If so, Medicare has a handy cheatsheet with all the billing codes you need to know, right there. Resource preview of CMS's Medicare Learning Network: 

Evaluative & Management Codes Plus the GT Modifier

We’ve found that many commercial payers who say they’ll cover telemedicine services advise healthcare providers to bill an Evaluative & Management (E&M) code for a telemedicine appointment. That’s 99201 - 99215, usually for standard 5-30 minute outpatient office visits for new or established patients. 

They’re also looking for a tacked-on “GT” code modifier to let them know the visit took place virtually, via a live telemedicine platform, rather than in person.

Similar to when you’re billing E&M codes for telemedicine, Medicare requires you to bill the normal CPT code and then add on the GT modifier. Note that if the relevant CPT code doesn’t appear on the list, it’s probably not a medical treatment that is reimburseable when delivered via live video telemedicine.