Telehealth and Telemedicine
Instructor
Brittany Sowards, BA, CPC, CPMA, CCC, CCVTCDescription
Telehealth and Telemedicine is a self-paced, online course designed for medical coders who report telemedicine services across professional fee and outpatient settings and need clear guidance on ever-changing requirements. The course focuses on synchronous telemedicine services in the CPT Telemedicine category, including audio-video visits (98000–98007), audio-only visits (98008–98015), and virtual check-ins (98016), with practical instruction on selecting the correct level of service using medical decision making or time. Learners should leave with stronger confidence applying place of service rules (02 and 10), modifier use (including 93 and 95 when applicable), and documentation standards such as consent, modality, participant roles, and patient and provider locations. Course duration and CEU details are listed on this page.
Included Lessons:
- Telehealth Overview
- Audio-Video Telemedicine
- Audio-Only Telemedicine
- Virtual Check-Ins
- Level of Service
- Telemedicine Modifiers
- Telemedicine Coverage
- Test Yourself
- References and Additional Content
CEUs available for the following credentials:
AAPC
COC, CPC, CPC-P, CEMC, CPB, CPPM
AHIMA
CCA, CCS, CCS-P, RHIT, RHIA, CDIP, CHDA, CHPS
Key Takeaways
- Understanding of Telehealth vs. Telemedicine: Participants will gain a clear understanding of how telemedicine fits within telehealth and when synchronous telemedicine services are appropriate for reporting versus routine follow-up communication that is not separately billable.
- Proficiency in Coding Synchronous Telemedicine Services: Coders will learn how to report CPT telemedicine E/M codes for audio-video visits (98000–98007), audio-only visits (98008–98015), and virtual check-ins (98016), including key rules that affect code selection.
- Accurate Level Selection Using MDM or Time: The course equips coders to determine the correct level of service based on medical decision making or time, including how to apply time thresholds and what time elements are excluded for telemedicine (such as connection setup time).
- Correct Use of Place of Service and Originating Site Concepts: Participants will understand how the patient’s location (originating site) drives place of service reporting, including when to use POS 02 versus POS 10 for telehealth provided in the patient’s home.
- Confidence with Telemedicine Modifiers and Payer Variations: Coders will learn when modifiers 93 and 95 may apply for services typically performed in person, and when modifiers are not used because the telemedicine code descriptor already defines the modality.
- Stronger Documentation Review for Compliant Reporting: Through guideline-based instruction and scenarios, participants will improve their ability to confirm required documentation elements such as consent, modality, provider and patient locations, and participant roles, supporting accurate and compliant claim submission.
Benefits of Taking Course
- Enhances telemedicine coding knowledge for synchronous services
- Improves accuracy in code selection based on modality and payer rules
- Strengthens use of POS and modifier requirements for compliant claims
- Builds confidence applying MDM and time-based telemedicine rules
- Improves documentation validation for telehealth encounters
FAQs
How does this course explain the difference between telehealth and telemedicine for coding purposes?
This course explains telemedicine as a type of telehealth focused on diagnosing, monitoring, and treating patients using telecommunications technology. It also clarifies when telemedicine services may be separately reported versus routine communication that is considered part of an E/M service, such as calling a patient only to relay test results.
Does this course cover how to select telemedicine levels using medical decision making or time?
Yes. The course explains how telemedicine services are leveled using medical decision making or total time, including what must be met for time thresholds and how to approach code selection when MDM supports a higher level than time.
Will learners understand which synchronous telemedicine codes apply for audio-video, audio-only, and virtual check-ins?
Yes. The course focuses on the Telemedicine category in CPT and covers audio-video visits (98000–98007), audio-only visits (98008–98015), and virtual check-ins (98016), including key distinctions such as new versus established patient rules and minimum discussion time requirements.
About Our Medical Coding Courses
HIAlearn, powered by Health Information Associates (HIA)—a leader in medical coding and auditing for more than three decades—offers a flexible, online education platform designed for today’s coders. With a growing catalog of AHIMA and AAPC-approved coding courses, HIAlearn supports both beginners and experienced coders looking to build confidence, accuracy, and CEU credits.
Courses are available across various coding types including CPT, E/M, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS, and are designed for multiple specialties including inpatient, outpatient, profee, and CDI.
To stay up to date, coders can explore our Coding Updates hub for the latest ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and IPPS changes. HIAlearn also supports organizations with group discounts and scalable team access, promoting accuracy, compliance, and continuous professional development across departments.
Overview
.png)
Keep learning with more medical coding courses from HIAlearn.
Advanced Practice Providers
Covers coding rules for services delivered by NPs and PAs—key remote care providers in telehealth settings.
Split/Shared Visits and Incident-To E/M Services
Teaches how to code clinician-shared telehealth visits and ancillary-provider support—important for multispecialty virtual encounters.
Place of Service Codes
Guides selection of correct POS codes (e.g., 02 for telehealth)—essential for ensuring accurate telemedicine billing compliance.