Telehealth's Role in Medicare's Chronic Care Management

CMS recognizes care management as one of the critical components of primary care that contributes to better health and care for individuals, as well as reduced spending. Since January 2015, Medicare has been paying separately under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) under American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 99490, for non-face-to-face care coordination services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.

CPT 99490 is defined as chronic care management services, at least 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a physician or other qualified health care professional, per calendar month, with the following required elements: