Colorado Medical Society

Introduced by: Council on Practice Environment

Subject: Electronic Communication Services Codes

Referred to: Reference Committee on Health Affairs

WHEREAS, MOB-35-A and 36-A were adopted in support of COPE's original recommendations to expand the current CPT code for telephone communication to include online electronic communications, as re-stated below:

MOB-35-A: "MSC approval to encourage the AMA to expand the definitions of the CPT codes for telephonic communications (99371-99373) to include electronic communications, therefore eliminating the need for the temporary code and any new codes in the future. CMS will continue to encourage the use of the temporary code (0074T) until the goals presented can be achieved."

MOB-36-A: MSC approval to submit a resolution to the AMA with the Resolved as follows:

RESOLVED, that the AMA CPT Editorial Panel consider expanding the definition of the existing telephonic communications CPT codes (99371-99373) to include all electronic communications, therefore eliminating the need for separate category I procedure codes specifically designated for online communication, and

WHEREAS, At the 2004 AMA Annual Meeting, testimony indicated that two separate codes are necessary because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has explicitly stated that phone consultations are included in E&M codes and, therefore, combining electronic communication would preclude separate reimbursement for online consultation, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that CMS support the AMA CPT Editorial Panel to refine the current tracking code for electronic communication into a new code for non-telephone electronic communications, including but not limited to facsimile and e-mail, and be it further

RESOLVED, that if this resolution is adopted, MOB 35-A and 36-A be rescinded.

FISCAL IMPACT: None