Medical Billing Blog

Use GT Modifier for Online Visits and Telemedicine Claims

Posted by Scott Shatzman on Thu, Dec, 15, 2016 @ 08:12 AM

On July 1, 2016, Blue Cross began extending services under telemedicine to include all codes specific to range of practice.

Image result for telemedicine cartoon

Submitted codes must have a GT modifier added. Modifier GT defines services given through interactive audio and video telecommunication systems.

However, certain codes don’t need the GT modifier. For example, online (98969 and 99444) and telephone (99443, 98966, 98967 and 98968) evaluation and management visits don’t need the GT modifier.

How to report in an office location

When the patient is initiating an online (98969 and 99444) or telephone (99443, 98966, 98967 and 98968) E&M service, providers should report an office location of service code (11-office) with the applicable online visit or telephone E&M procedure code. When a telemedicine E&M visit is submitted with a GT modifier, (e.g., 99212 – GT) also report the office location of service code.