ACOG Wins: Private Insurers Extending COVID-19 Telehealth Policies

Following ACOG’s advocacy and outreach, four major health insurers have announced extensions to their COVID-19 expanded telehealth policies:

UnitedHealthcare announced they are extending their telehealth coverage expansions through September 30, 2020:

• Coverage of audio-only telehealth visits
• Telehealth visits, both audio-video and audio-only, will be paid at parity with in-person visits
• Originating site restrictions are waived, patients can receive services from their home
• Telephone evaluation and management services can be provided to new and established patients
• Patient cost sharing waiver is extended for in-network telehealth services

Cigna has extended their telehealth coverage expansions through July 31, 2020:

• Coverage of audio-only telehealth visits
• Telehealth visits, both audio-video and audio-only, will be paid at parity with in-person visits
• Coverage of 5-10 minute phone consults using HCPCS code G2012, member cost sharing for this service is waived

Anthem is extending their COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies through September 30, 2020:

• Coverage of audio-only telehealth visits 
• Patient cost sharing will be waived for in-network providers

*Check Anthem’s provider news in your state  for more information on their telehealth policies.

Aetna’s liberalized coverage of Commercial telehealth services was extended through August 4, 2020:

• Coverage of audio-only telehealth visits
• Telehealth visits, both audio-video and audio-only, will be paid at parity with in-person visits
• Physicians will be paid for both portions of a well-woman visit when they are rendered partially via telehealth and partially in person: Aetna will reimburse a telehealth evaluation and management service for the telehealth portion of the wellness visit in addition to the preventive medicine code, which should be used when the remaining parts of the visit are completed in the office. 

ACOG continues to urge other major payers to extend their COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies and take steps to make these telehealth coverage expansions permanent. We will keep you apprised of any additional changes. At the same time, we are also working on both the federal and state level to implement policies to facilitate improved telehealth coverage and payment parity across payers. 

If you have telehealth billing questions or concerns with an insurer’s telehealth policy, you can now submit a ticket to ACOG’s free Coding Ticket Database. The Coding Ticket Database is a comprehensive practice management tool for members and their staff, where you can get your coding and policy questions answered and find resources on telehealth billing. The tickets you submit will help inform our advocacy efforts and improve our member resources!