Aetna has extended its coverage expansion for commercial telemedicine services to August 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The patient cost-share waiver for in-network covered telemedicine visits ended on June 4 except for outpatient behavioral and mental health counseling services.

Additionally, Aetna has set the reimbursement rates for the physician telephone only services (CPT 99441 – CPT 99443) to be equal to office visit E&M codes (CPT 99212-99214). Please note: CPT 99441 will be set to equate to 99212.

The ACC's Advocacy Team is seeking clarification on whether this reimbursement change will be applied retroactively.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub

Keywords: ACC Publications, Cardiology Magazine, Health Policy, COVID-19, Outpatients, Mental Health, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Telemedicine, Office Visits, Telephone, Cost Sharing, Pandemics, Counseling

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