CMS recently issued additional guidance on the use of modifiers when submitting COVID-19 related claims. Under the CMS telemedicine expansion policies, providers can receive the beneficiary copay payment for COVID-19 related services directly from Medicare. However, to receive this patient copayment directly from Medicare, providers must submit claims using both the 95 modifier and the CS modifier, with the site of service where the service would have traditionally been provided. Non-COVID-19 related care provided under the CMS telemedicine policy is not eligible to receive the patient copayment directly from Medicare, but providers have the option to waive the patient copayment fee for non-COVID-19 care provided under the CMS telemedicine policy.

For more complete details on CMS’s telemedicine and waiver policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the April issue of the ATS Coding and Billing Quarterly for updated information.