Technology is great, but how does a healthcare provider get paid for online communications between them and their patients. Some insurer don’t cover the online consult or communications, but many patients are willing to pay out of pocket for the convenience. Regardless, many experts warn that a clear plan and procedures can help healthcare providers get paid for their online consultations and communications.

Email communications between healthcare providers and patients are considered billable online consultations when they address a specific problem not associated with a prior visit, online or in the office, within the past seven days. Emails sent within seven days of a past visit like labs, prescriptions, or treatment questions cannot be billed separately. There is also a lot of paperwork to go through to get it paid through the insurance companies, but many patients would like the convenience.

According to the American Academy of Coders, when using CPT code 99444 certain criteria must be met for online consultations:

The code must not refer to a previous service performed and reported by the healthcare provider within the past seven days or within a post-op recovery period. If the consultation falls within those seven days, it is considered part of the previous visit and cannot be recorded separately.

The code can only be recorded once and must encompass all of the communications related to the electronic visit, including telephone calls, prescription medication provisions, and lab orders.

The visit must also be made part of the patient’s record.

If you would like to read more about what some healthcare providers are doing with their service go to:

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/03/22/bica0322.htm