How to Code for Telehealth, Audio-Only, and Virtual-Digital Visits

Learn how to accurately get paid for telemedicine services with medical codes for telehealth, audio-only, and virtual-digital visits.

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Coding for Telehealth Visits

Note: These tables are informational, not advisory. The AAFP recommends that physicians verify each payer's policy and ask patients to verify their coverage ahead of appointments.

How do I code a new or established patient telehealth office visit that uses audio-video communications technology?

99202-99205, 99211-99215, G2212

Commercial: POS 02 or 10

Medicare Advantage: Use POS that would have been used if the service had been provided in person (e.g., POS 11 – Office)

Commercial: 02 or 10

Medicare Advantage: Elevance policy not publicly available. Check with your local provider relations representative

Commercial: POS 02

Medicare Advantage: Use POS that would have been used if the service had been provided in person (e.g., POS 11 – Office)

Commercial: Use POS 02 or 10

Medicare Advantage: Use the POS that would have been used if the service had been provided in person (e.g., POS 11 – Office)

Commercial: POS 02 or 10

Medicare Advantage: 02 or 10

Commercial: -GT or -95

Medicare Advantage: -95

Commercial: -95

Medicare Advantage: Elevance policy not publicly available. Check with your local provider relations representative

Commercial:-GQ, -GT, or -95 (all three accepted)

Medicare Advantage: -95

Commercial: -95 or GT

Medicare Advantage: -95

Commercial:-95, GT, GQ, and G0 optional

Medicare Advantage:-95

*Elevance's policies vary by state; contact your provider-relations representative.

Coding for Audio-only Visits

How do I code an audio-only visit for a new or established patient?

CPT Codes: 99441-99443

Commercial: POS 02 or 10

Medicare Advantage: Check with your local provider relations representative

Commercial: POS 02


Medicare Advantage: Use POS used for typical services (e.g., POS 11 – Office)

Commercial: POS 02 or 10

Medicare Advantage: POS 02, 10, or use POS used for typical services (e.g., POS 11 – Office)

Commercial: -93 or -FQ

Medicare Advantage: -95

Audio-only scenario notes

Medicare requires audio-video for most office visit evaluation and management (E/M) services (CPT codes 99202-99215) telehealth services. Audio-only encounters are allowed for certain services. Eligible services may be found on the Medicare Telehealth Services list. Medicare allows audio-only telehealth services for office visit E/M services (CPT codes 99202-99215) for the treatment of mental health conditions.

UHC states they will consider payment for eligible audio-only services listed in Appendix P of the CPT book. Eligible services must be reported using either POS 02 or 10 and include the -93 modifier. CPT codes billed with modifier -93 that are not in Appendix P will not be considered for payment.

Private payers vary on covered telehealth services. Check with your provider relations representatives for each payer’s telehealth policy and covered telehealth services.

CMS will cover telephone evaluation and management (E/M) services (CPT codes 99441-99443) through the end of calendar year 2023. Other services that may be provided via audio-only are available on the Medicare Telehealth List.

Telephone E/M services are provided to a patient, parent, or guardian and do not originate from a related E/M service within the previous seven days and do not lead to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment.

The following codes may be used by physicians or other qualified health professionals who may report E/M services:

Telephone E/M services should not be reported when the time spent on the telephone is captured in other services reported, such as:

Self-funded plans can develop their own policies and may opt out of some cost-sharing waivers. Similarly, Medicaid policies are established at the state-level. The AAFP recommends reaching out to your provider relations representatives or Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to verify policies.