CMS is updating its reporting requirements around telehealth visits as it prepares for mandatory reporting of these non-billable visits beginning July 1, 2023. Telehealth visit reporting is voluntary through June.
 
CMS will permanently remove a system requirement, reason code 31869, effective Oct. 1, 2023, and it has called on MACs to temporarily deactivate the code until that time. This was a requirement for another line item on the claim for an in-person visit with the same revenue code as a telehealth visit. This isn’t necessary and has caused some claims to be returned in error, according to CMS.
 
Changes to the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 10§40.2, also address some questions that have come up during this voluntary reporting period. Specifically, what to do when there are two telehealth visits on the same day for the same revenue code, as well as what to do if remote patient monitoring is for more than one discipline.
 
The updated relevant text is in bold below:
 
Beginning on or after January 1, 2023, HHAs may voluntarily report the use of telecommunications technology in the provision of home health services on claims. This information is required on home health claims beginning on July 1, 2023. HHAs shall submit the use of telecommunications technology when furnishing home health services, on the home health claim via three G-codes.
  • G0320: home health services furnished using synchronous telemedicine rendered via a real-time two-way audio and video telecommunications system
  • G0321: home health services furnished using synchronous telemedicine rendered via telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only telecommunications system
  • G0322: the collection of physiologic data digitally stored and/or transmitted by the patient to the home health agency (i.e., remote patient monitoring).
HHAs shall submit services furnished via telecommunications technology in line item detail and each service must be reported as a separately dated line under the appropriate revenue code for each discipline furnishing the service. Two occurrences of G0320 or G0321 on the same day for the same revenue code shall be reported as separate line items.
 
The use of remote patient monitoring that spans a number of days shall be reported as a single G0322 line item reporting the beginning date of monitoring and the number of days of monitoring in the units field. If more than one discipline is using the remote monitoring information during the billing period, the HHA may choose which revenue code to report on the remote monitoring line item.