Telehealth

Telehealth has quickly become a vital modality for practices to be able to reach patients where they are. In February 2020, ACOG’s Presidential Task Force on Telehealth published Committee Opinion 798, Implementing Telehealth in Practice, which recommended that insurance payers provide clear guidelines to physicians who provide telehealth to ensure appropriate health insurance coverage for telehealth encounters.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth expansions have given ob-gyn practices the flexibility to provide care while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The landscape around telehealth policies is complex; there are overarching federal Medicare laws and regulations, varying state Medicaid laws, and commercial payer policies which all influence the level of coverage.

ACOG continues to advocacy for telehealth coverage that is evidence-based and provides safe care for obstetric and gynecologic services.

Additional Resources

• ACOG Telehealth COVID-19 FAQs
• HHS Telehealth Website
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Fact Sheet for Physicians and Other Clinicians: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Fact Sheet on Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services during COVID-19
• Center for Connected Health Policy’s List of COVID-19 State Actions
• American Medical Association: Quick Guide to Implementing Telehealth in Practice
• Full List of Medicare Telehealth Codes
• SMFM Coding Guidance: Recommended Coding for COVID-19 and Pregnancy
• Financial Support for Physicians and Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• ACOG Gains Ground on Expanding Telehealth