Information is available for DOS before July 1, 2021.
Information is available for DOS before January 1, 2021.
ForwardHealth allows certain covered services to be provided via telehealth (also known as "telemedicine"). Telehealth enables a provider who is located at a distant site to render the service remotely to a member located at an originating site using a combination of interactive video, audio, and externally acquired images through a networking environment.
There is no restriction on the location of a distant site provider. In addition, there are no limitations on what provider types may be reimbursed for telehealth services.
ForwardHealth allows coverage of telehealth for any originating site. However, only the following originating sites are eligible for a facility fee reimbursement:
Services provided via telehealth must be of sufficient audio and visual fidelity and clarity as to be functionally equivalent to a face-to-face visit where both the rendering provider and member are in the same physical location. Both the distant and originating sites must have the requisite equipment and staffing necessary to provide the telehealth service.
Coverage of a service provided via telehealth is subject to the same restrictions as when the service is provided face-to-face (for example, allowable providers, multiple service limitations, PA).
Providers are reminded that HIPAA confidentiality requirements apply to telehealth services. When a covered entity or provider utilizes a telehealth service that involves PHI, the entity or provider will need to conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to PHI confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Each entity or provider must assess what are reasonable and appropriate security measures for their situation.
Note: Providers may not require the use of telehealth as a condition of treating a member. Providers must develop and implement their own methods of informed consent to verify that a member agrees to receive services via telehealth. These methods must comply with all federal and state regulations and guidelines.
The following are not covered as telehealth services:
Claims for services provided via telehealth by distant site providers must be billed with the same procedure code as would be used for a face-to-face encounter along with HCPCS modifier GT (via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems).
Claims must also include POS code 02 (Telehealth: the location where health services and health-related services are provided or received through telehealth telecommunication technology). ForwardHealth reimburses the service rendered by distant site providers at the same rate as when the service is provided face-to-face.
Claims for services provided via telehealth by distant site ancillary providers should continue to be submitted under the supervising physician's NPI using the lowest appropriate level office or outpatient visit procedure code or other appropriate CPT code for the service performed. These services must be provided under the direct on-site supervision of a physician who is located at the same physical site as the ancillary provider and must be documented in the same manner as services that are provided face to face.
Claims for services provided via telehealth by distant site providers may additionally qualify for pediatric (services for members 18 years of age and under) or HPSA-enhanced reimbursement. Pediatric and HPSA-eligible providers are required to indicate POS code 02, along with modifier GT and the applicable pediatric or HPSA modifier, when submitting claims that qualify for enhanced reimbursement.
In addition to reimbursement to the distant site provider, ForwardHealth reimburses an originating site facility fee for the staff and equipment at the originating site requisite to provide a service via telehealth. Eligible providers who serve as the originating site should bill the facility fee with HCPCS procedure code Q3014 (Telehealth originating site facility fee). HCPCS modifier GT should not be included with procedure code Q3014.
Eligible providers who bill on a professional claim form should bill Q3014 with a POS code that represents where the member is located during the service. The POS must be a ForwardHealth-allowable originating site for procedure code Q3014 in order to be reimbursed for the originating site fee. The originating site fee is reimbursed based on a maximum allowable fee.
Eligible providers who bill on an institutional claim form should bill Q3014 as a separate line item with the appropriate revenue code. ForwardHealth will reimburse these providers for the facility fee based on the provider's standard reimbursement methodology.
All services provided via telehealth must be thoroughly documented in the member's medical record in the same manner as services provided face-to-face. As a reminder, documentation for originating sites must support the member's presence in order to submit a claim for the originating site facility fee. In addition, if the originating site provides and bills for services in addition to the originating site facility fee, documentation in the member's medical record should distinguish between the unique services provided.
Telestroke, also known as stroke telemedicine, is a delivery mechanism of telehealth services that aims to improve access to recommended stroke treatment.
ForwardHealth allows providers to be reimbursed for telestroke services. Telestroke services typically consist of the member and emergency providers at an originating site consulting with a specialist located at a distant site.
Providers are required to use CPT consultation and E&M procedure codes when billing telestroke services. Telestroke services are subject to the same enrollment policy, coverage policy, and billing policy as telehealth services. All other services rendered by the provider at the originating site, and by any providers to which the member is transferred, should be billed in the same manner as visits or admissions that do not involve telehealth services.
Originating sites that have established contractual relationships for telestroke services may bill as they would for any other contracted professional services for both the professional service claim on behalf of the distant site provider and the originating site fee.
ForwardHealth policy for services provided via telehealth by out-of-state providers is the same as ForwardHealth policy for services provided face-to-face by out-of-state providers. Out-of-state providers who do not have border status enrollment with Wisconsin Medicaid are required to obtain PA before providing services via telehealth to BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid members.
Note: Wisconsin Medicaid is prohibited from paying providers located outside of the United States and its territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
For the purpose of this Online Handbook topic, FQHC refers to Tribal and Out-of-State FQHCs. This topic does not apply to Community Health Centers subject to PPS reimbursement.
FQHCs and RHCs may serve as originating site and distant site providers for telehealth services.
Distant Site
FQHCs and RHCs may report services provided via telehealth on the cost settlement report when the FQHC or RHC served as the distant site and the member is an established patient of the FQHC or RHC at the time of the telehealth service.
Services billed with modifier GT (modifier indicating telehealth) will be considered under the PPS reimbursement method for non-tribal FQHCs. Billing HCPCS procedure code T1015 (Clinic visit/encounter, all-inclusive) with a telehealth procedure code will result in a PPS rate for fee-for-service encounters.
Originating Site
The originating site facility fee is not a FQHC or RHC reportable encounter on the cost report. Any reimbursement for the originating site facility fee must be reported as a deductive value on the cost report.
Procedure codes for services allowed under permanent telehealth policy have POS code 02 listed as an allowable POS. Effective January 1, 2022, if POS code 02 is not listed as an allowable POS for a procedure code, the service will not be reimbursed under permanent telehealth policy.
Note: The GT modifier may not be listed on the fee schedule, but it is still required on all claim submissions that use POS code 02 to indicate the telehealth service was performed synchronously.