Daily COVID-19 Email Update - April 1, 2020

NEW from the AOA!

Did you miss AOA's COVID-19 Resources Webinar II last night? The webinar was recorded and will be available to view later today!


Today's Statistics

World: 912,098 cases with 45,540 deaths (4.99%)
US: 205,036 cases with 4,516 deaths (2.2%)
NC: 1,622 cases with 12 deaths (0.74%); hospitalizations: 200


CMS Expansion of Telehealth Services

The Medicare Learning Network has new information on Medicare telehealth expansion. Click here to learn more.

  1. During the public health emergency, providers can use interactive apps with audio and video capabilities. Providers can also evaluate beneficiaries who only have audio phones.
  2. These temporary changes will ensure that patients have access to physicians and other providers while remaining safely at home.
  3. Providers can bill for new telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits.
  4. New as well as established patients can now stay at home and have a telehealth visit with their provider.
  5. Clinicians can provide remote patient monitoring services to patients with acute and chronic conditions and for patients with only one disease.
  6. CMS is allowing physicians to supervise their clinical staff using virtual technologies when appropriate, instead of requiring in-person presence.

Note: If a procedure has been added that is not on the usual telehealth coverage list, then you do need to file using the place of service as you normally would and add a -95 modifier to the code to indicate it was provided by telehealth.

HOWEVER, if the service is one that is typically listed on the telehealth services list (99201-99215, 99241-99243, G2010, G2012) then you do NOT need to add the -95 modifier and use the POS of 02. The 99241-99243 will be paid at the facility rate.

You can find the expanded listing of telehealth services by clicking the links below. However few, if any, are relevant for optometry.

Covered Telehealth Services

List of Medicare Telehealth Services


Essential Care Guidelines for COVID-19

The AOA Health Policy Institute published essential care guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to also view some examples of essential care requiring emergency office visits.


COVID-19 Accelerated Payment Hotline FAQs

This article provides accelerated payment hotline frequently asked questions. Please share with appropriate staff.


JAMA Articles on COVID-19


How Our Partners are Supporting You!

A Message from ABB Optical Group

A Message from Allergan

  • Allergan can help alleviate some of the stress of obtaining REFRESH® for your patients who may be unable to purchase it directly at your practice. The REFRESH® eCommerce platform allows patients to purchase their preferred REFRESH® products from your own RefreshMyEyes online store. Products will be shipped directly to patients within 3 to 5 days without the need for you to be in your office or physically stocking product. Shipping is free on any orders over $30 ($4.95 otherwise).

    Simply visit https://refreshbrand.com/ecommerce to register and get started. Click here to view a video demo on how the program works.

A Message from VSP Global


NEW Resources

National Academy of Medicine - Clinician Well-Being and Resilience

NC DHHS - Cases in NC

NC Republican, Democratic leaders Back More Tax Relief Due to Coronavirus

A Message From the North Carolina State Board of Examiners