This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced health care providers may begin billing for counseling patients about the importance of self-isolation when they are tested for COVID-19. CMS will use existing evaluation and management (E/M) payment codes to reimburse providers who are eligible to bill CMS for counseling services whether a test is administered in a doctor’s office, urgent care clinic, hospital or community drive-thru or pharmacy testing site. Further information and resource links are available in the Counseling Check List. (CMS news release, 7/30/20)
