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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAcupuncture ProceduresCPT cpt-98005-established-patient-telehealth-evaluation-20-minutes
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    CPT 98005: Established Patient Telehealth E/M, Low MDM, ≥20 Minutes

    CPT code 98005 describes an established patient evaluation and management visit delivered via synchronous audio–video telehealth, reflecting an E/M visit with low medical decision making and/or 20 or more minutes of total provider time on a single date; the service type is telemedicine/telehealth synchronous audio–video E/M, and the typical site of service is the patient’s remote location (telehealth) rather than an in-person clinic encounter.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Corporate Medical Policy, Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for New Mexico Only), Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for North Carolina Only).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old established patient with well-controlled type 2 diabetes and hypertension requests a scheduled follow-up via synchronous audio–video telehealth due to mobility limitations and transportation barriers. The visit is an evaluation and management encounter conducted by the patient’s primary care physician using a secure video platform. The clinician spends a total of 22 minutes on the single-date encounter, reviews recent home blood glucose logs, discusses current antihypertensive medication adherence, assesses mild ankle swelling reported by the patient, and documents low medical decision making: review of controlled chronic conditions, minor medication adjustment (dose titration), and anticipatory counseling. No in-person procedures are performed. The clinical workflow includes pre-visit chart review, patient check-in and verification of identity, focused history and systems review via video, review of home vitals and medication list, documentation of time spent and clinical decisions, and electronic prescription or message follow-up. Telehealth visit modality is synchronous audio–video consistent with code 98005 criteria.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99441Telephone evaluation and management service by a physician or other qualified health care professional, 5-10 minutes of medical discussionMay be used when audio-only follow-up is appropriate and brief instead of a synchronous audio–video visit
    99443Telephone E/M service, 11-20 minutes of medical discussionAlternative for longer audio-only encounters when video is not available
    99421Online digital E/M service, for established patient, cumulative time over 7 daysUsed for non–synchronous secure messaging or portal-based management that supplements the telehealth visit
    99091Collection and interpretation of physiologic data digitally stored and/or transmitted by patient and/or caregiver to clinician, 30 minutesMay accompany telehealth visits when remote patient monitoring data (e.g., glucose logs) is formally reviewed
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit global period not incrementedWhen a telehealth E/M is part of routine postoperative care and reported per payer guidance if routine follow-up is not separately payable
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for an established patient, typically 15 minutes, low MDMIn scenarios where the encounter shifts to in-person, 99213 represents the comparable in-person established patient E/M visit

    Note: All CPT codes are presented to illustrate common clinical workflows associated with an established patient synchronous audio–video telehealth E/M visit 98005. When multiple codes are applicable, follow payer-specific billing guidance.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
    93Modifier 93 denotes that a billed service was delivered synchronously via audio-only telecommunications (real-time telephone or other audio-only system). The AMA added modifier 93 in CPT Appendix A…- When to use: Apply modifier -93 when a synchronous, real-time, two-way patient–provider encounter is conducted entirely via audio-only (telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only…
    57CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208D00000X
    207R00000X
    2084P0800X
    363L00000X
    207VC0300X
    251G00000X
    103TP2700X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Pediatrics/Neonatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Clinical Policy: NICU Apnea Bradycardia GuidelinesAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    DRG Newborn Inpatient Stays - FacilityBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Pediatric Preventive ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Infant Nutritional FormulaCigna2026-09-15
    Pediatric Preventive ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-97810-ACUPUNCTURE-INITIAL-15-MINUTE-TREATMENT

    CPT 97810: Acupuncture, Initial 15-Minute Needling

    CPT-97811-ACUPUNCTURE-ADDITIONAL-15-MINUTE-CONTINUATION

    CPT 97811: Acupuncture, Each Additional 15 Minutes

    CPT-97813-ELECTROACUPUNCTURE-INITIAL-15-MINUTE-TREATMENT

    CPT 97813: Electroacupuncture, 15-Minute Initial Treatment

    CPT-97814-ACUPUNCTURE-ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION-ADDITIONAL-15-MIN

    CPT 97814: Acupuncture with Electrical Stimulation, Additional 15 Minutes

    CPT-98002-NEW-PATIENT-TELEHEALTH-EVALUATION-MODERATE-COMPLEXITY

    CPT 98002: New Patient Telehealth E/M, Moderate Complexity

    CPT-98003-TELEMEDICINE-NEW-PATIENT-EVALUATION-HIGH-COMPLEXITY-60MIN

    CPT 98003: New Patient Telehealth E/M, High Complexity, 60+ Minutes

    CPT-98008-NEW-PATIENT-AUDIO-ONLY-EVALUATION-AND-MANAGEMENT

    CPT 98008: New Patient Audio-Only Evaluation and Management

    CPT-98016-VIRTUAL-BRIEF-EVALUATION-ESTABLISHED-PATIENT

    CPT 98016: Virtual Check‑in for Established Patient, 5–10 Minutes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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