Has anybody done Telepsych?

twinkerrs · Aug 28, 2014

I was going to ask this same question. Here in arkansas it just recently changed to where APRNs can bill for all psych services provided by telepsych to medicaid.

harmonizer · Aug 28, 2014

Same billing code as face-to-face. but please pay attention to laws and regulations for each states. It is not any better than face-to-face. The only thing is that you will sit in front of a screen that's it. Some patients are not receptive to it but most are ok. Actually, I advocate for face-to-face. Telepsych is a disservice to the patients and it will go away when the market is saturating soon.

I would like to do MOCA on some patients.... but I cannot do it well on telepsych...

TheOldGuy · Aug 29, 2014

Thanks Harmonizer,

It is also my understanding there are no separate billing codes for telepsych....but would use, for example, G0406-408 and G0425-427. I don't want to get into a philosophical discussion about whether it's good or bad - but at the same time, I do have to say that if anything seems amenable to a telehealth application, it is psych....

What kind of billing volume were you able to generate? What sort of setting? Any problems having patients present for the appt?

Thanks

harmonizer · Aug 29, 2014

TheOldGuy,

I don't want to get into a philosophical discussion either.. it's just matter of time that once there is more providers, the service will goes away.. it's harder to find a telepsych job now because of increased # of onsite providers... let me know if you can find one..I am desperate for more hours.

As I mentioned, same billing code for face to face.. I think we bill based on acuity now so the code will be 99212,99213, 99214, 99215 and you can add on therapy code 90833 as well. I do not know what is G0406-408 and G0425-427.. it is probably from the old system..

I do not understand what you describe as billing volume?

Problems:

1) poor acceptance by some patients but most are ok

2) lack of access to medical records (not on computer system)

3) technical problem

4) the clinic may have to assign a staff to be with you during the session.. more resource and money for them..

sarahdukie · Oct 22, 2014

I disagree that telemedicine is going anywhere--it is being increasingly utilized in hospitals to reach rural patients in the Pacific Northwest. Almost all the psych NPs in private practice that I know utilize it as an option for patients. Doing a 20 minute med check via a patient's smartphone in the privacy of their office is way more convenient than taking an afternoon off of work, sitting in traffic, etc. I agree it has limitations though.