Effective January 1, 2009 Additional Entities May Bill for Telehealth Services

Effective January 1, 2009, the following types of entities will be able to receive Medicare payment as the originating site for payment of telehealth services:

• Hospital based or CAH based renal dialysis centers (not independent dialysis facilities)
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs)

The originating site facility fee is a separately billable Part B payment outside of other payment methodologies. The fee is updated annually via the physician fee schedule. In order to receive the fee there must be the use of an interactive audio and video telecommunications system and the patient must be present.

For more information on billing for telehealth services provided at these additional sites, see MedLearn Matters Article MM6215.