Last update: May 13, 2021, 10:42 a.m. CT
Our Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Individual and fully insured Group Market health plans currently reimburse for “e-visits” for patients to connect with their doctors remotely. These services are for established patients only, not related to a medical visit within the previous seven days and not resulting in a medical visit within the next 24 hours (or soonest appointment available).
UnitedHealthcare will reimburse for patients to communicate with their doctors using online patient portals, using CPT® codes 99421-99423 and CPT codes 98970-98972, as applicable for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Individual and fully insured Group Market health plan members.
E-visits will be covered according to the member’s benefit plan and UnitedHealthcare’s standard telehealth reimbursement policy.
UnitedHealthcare pays for e-visits in all types of locations, including the patient’s home, and in all areas (not just rural). Established patients may have non-face-to-face, patient-initiated communications with their doctors, without going to the doctor’s office, by using online patient portals.
These services can only be reported when the billing practice has an established relationship with the patient. For these e-visits, the patient must generate the initial inquiry, and communications can occur over a seven-day period. For these services, UnitedHealthcare reimburses CPT codes 99421-99423 and CPT codes 98970-98972, as applicable. The patient must verbally consent to receive virtual check-in services.
Medicaid state-specific requirements and time periods may vary. Medicaid state-specific rules supersede UnitedHealthcare extension guidelines and protocols as of June 18, 2020. If no state guidance was provided, the cost share waiver ended June 18, 2020, and UnitedHealthcare guidelines will apply. We will adjudicate benefits in accordance with the member’s health plan. For more details, please refer to your state’s specific UnitedHealthcare Community Plan website.
Details on member coverage and cost share can be found in the COVID-19 Telehealth Medicaid Member Coverage and Cost Share section.
UnitedHealthcare covers e-visits for established patients to have non-face-to-face, patient-initiated communications with their doctors, without going to the doctor’s office, by using online patient portals.
These services can only be reported when the billing practice has an established relationship with the patient. For these e-visits, the patient must generate the initial inquiry, and communications can occur over a seven-day period. For these services, UnitedHealthcare reimburses CPT codes 99421-99423 and CPT codes 98970-98972, as applicable. The patient must verbally consent to receive virtual check-in services.
Details on member coverage and cost share can be found in the COVID-19 Telehealth Individual and Fully Insured Group Market Health Member Coverage and Cost Share section.
Implementation of these temporary changes for self-funded customers may vary. Depending on a member’s health plan, providers may need to adjust their administrative processes and systems when collecting member cost share (copays, coinsurance and deductibles). To determine if a member has a self-funded plan, please call UnitedHealthcare Provider Services at 877-842-3210.
To help you understand how UnitedHealthcare is reimbursing telehealth services during the national public health emergency period, we created a telehealth coding guide that includes scenarios to show some examples of how services might be reimbursed.
UnitedHealthcare’s temporary changes to its reimbursement policies do not alter state and federal laws applicable to your practice.
The benefits and processes described on this website apply pursuant to federal requirements and UnitedHealthcare national policy during the national emergency. Additional benefits or limitations may apply in some states and under some plans during this time.
We will adjudicate benefits in accordance with the member’s health plan.
Medicaid Providers: UnitedHealthcare will reimburse out-of-network providers for COVID-19 testing-related visits and COVID-19 related treatment or services according to the rates outlined in the Medicaid Fee Schedule.