Telehealth in Home Health Care: Navigating New Reporting Requirements

In a significant update for Home Health Agencies (HHAs), the introduction of new G-codes for telehealth services was taken effect on July 1, 2023. These changes are critical for agencies to understand and implement to ensure compliance and efficiency in telehealth billing practices. Below, we detail the updates and how your agency can prepare.

Updated G-Codes for Telehealth Services

As of July 1, 2023, HHAs will be required to use specific G-codes for reporting telehealth visits. These codes are designed to accurately represent the various forms of telehealth services provided. The codes include:

• G0320: For services delivered through synchronous telemedicine using real-time audio and video.
• G0321: For services provided via telephone or other real-time audio-only systems.
• G0322: For remote patient monitoring, including the collection and transmission of physiologic data.

Guidelines for Claim Submission:

• Services must be reported as separate dated lines under the appropriate revenue code for each discipline involved.
• Each service is to be reported as one unit per service, not in 15-minute increments.
• Charges should be determined according to the HHA’s internal policy.

WellSky Home Health Implementation Adjustments

To accommodate these new billing requirements, WellSky Home Health will implement changes in telehealth visit workflows before July 1, 2023. These include:

• Integration of G-codes G0320, G0321, and G0322 into standard telehealth forms.
• System updates to default the Claim Units for these tasks to “Visit”.
• Introduction of required fields for G0322 reporting, including the start and end date and time of remote monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When are G-codes required? Mandatory reporting of G-codes for telehealth visits begins on July 1, 2023. Reporting has been optional since January 1, 2023.

What telehealth visits are available? WellSky Home Health offers standard telehealth visits for various disciplines, ensuring comprehensive care delivery.

Do I need to contact WellSky Support for these updates? No. These updates have been automatically integrated into the system since March 2023.

Can we continue using custom telehealth visits? Due to the new reporting requirements, custom telehealth visits based on nursing and therapy routine visits will need to be replaced with standard WellSky Home Health tasks to ensure accuracy in claim reporting.

For Home Health Agencies, adapting to these telehealth reporting updates is crucial for maintaining compliance and ensuring efficient billing processes. Stay informed and prepared to integrate these changes into your agency’s operations.