You can add a half dozen codes to the list of services that may be reported with modifier CS (Cost-sharing), which requires Medicare to cover beneficiary cost-sharing during office visits and other encounters for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
The Feb. 11 update from Medicare expands the total list of services eligible for the CS modifier to 212 by adding the following HCPCS codes effective Jan. 1:
- G2250 (Remote assessment of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient [e.g., store and forward], including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment).
- G2251 (Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a qualified health care professional who cannot report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5?10 minutes of clinical discussion).
- G2252 (Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a physician or other qualified health care professional who can report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 11-20 minutes of medical discussion).
In addition, CMS will also allow modifier CS to be appended to the following CPT codes for online assessment services: 98970, 98971 and 98972. Medicare will now cover those codes in place of three now-deleted HCPCS codes, G2061, G2062 and G2063.
"Cost-sharing does not apply for COVID-19 testing-related services, which are medical visits that: are furnished between March 18, 2020 and the end of the PHE; that result in an order for or administration of a COVID-19 test [and] are related to furnishing or administering such a test or to the evaluation of an individual for purposes of determining the need for such a test," CMS states.
The CS modifier is applicable to a range of office and other outpatient services; hospital observation services, emergency department services, online digital E/M services and others. The PHE is extended through at least April 2021.