CPT code 98001 designates a synchronous audio–video evaluation and management visit for a new patient when the encounter involves low medical decision making or when the provider spends 30 or more minutes of total time on the single date of service. As telehealth continues to be incorporated into ambulatory care, this code defines a specific new-patient E/M telehealth service tied to time and decision-making thresholds, supporting consistent billing and clinical documentation nationwide.

Key payers covered in this publication include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what the code represents, how it is typically used in outpatient telehealth encounters, and the operational context for time-based and low-complexity new-patient visits.

The report outlines benchmarks and coverage posture where available, summarizes relevant policy and coding considerations for clinicians and billing staff, and clarifies typical sites of service and service type. If specific payer policies, modifiers, or diagnosis mappings are not provided in the source input, those items are noted as not available. This summary is written for a national audience to support consistent understanding of CPT code 98001 in telehealth E/M workflows.