Digital Health Services

This page is intended to be an anchor for articles related to Telehealth, Telemedicine, and other Digital Health Interventions and Services.

The World Health Organization (WHO) includes telehealth and remote monitoring under its taxonomy of digital health interventions and services, which covers technologies that enable remote care, data exchange, and patient engagement. These are considered digital services because they leverage electronic communication and connected devices to deliver healthcare outside traditional settings.

Telemedicine (Telehealth)

  • Definition: Real-time, synchronous audio-video interaction equivalent to an in-person visit.
  • CPT/HCPCS Codes:
    • Common codes include 99201–99215 (E/M visits) with modifier 95 for telehealth.
    • Other telehealth-specific codes: G2061–G2063 (online assessment), behavioral health codes, etc.
  • Billing Requirements:
    • Must meet telehealth originating site and distant site rules (though many restrictions were waived during PHE and some remain relaxed).
    • Requires real-time audio-video; audio-only allowed for certain codes under specific conditions.
  • Place of Service (POS):
    • Typically POS 02 (Telehealth Provided Other than Patient’s Home) or POS 10 (Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home).
  • Documentation:
    • Must document consent, modality used, and all standard E/M elements (history, exam, MDM).

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

  • Definition: Asynchronous collection and transmission of physiologic data from patient to provider for review and management.
  • CPT Codes:
    • 99453 – Initial setup and patient education
    • 99454 – Device supply with daily recordings
    • 99457 – First 20 minutes of interactive communication and management per month
    • 99458 – Each additional 20 minutes
  • Billing Requirements:
    • Requires 16+ days of data in a 30-day period for 99454.
    • Interactive communication (phone/video) required for 99457/99458.
    • Device must meet FDA definition of a medical device.
  • Place of Service:
    • Typically billed as non-face-to-face services under physician’s usual POS (e.g., office POS 11).
  • Documentation:
    • Must include device details, patient consent, data review, and time spent on management.