20 Miss. Code. R. 2-XXIV - PRACTICE OF TELEMEDICINE/TELEMERGENCY

A. Telemedicine is the practice of medicine using electronic communication, information technology, or other means between a physician in one location and a patient in another location with or without intervening health care provider. This does not include the practice of medicine through postal or courier services.

B. Telemergency medicine is a unique combination of telemedicine and the collaborative/consultative role of a physician board certified in emergency medicine and an appropriate skilled health professional. These services are billed using codes 99441-99449.

C. The practice of telemedicine is deemed to occur in the location of the patient. Therefore, only physicians holding a valid Mississippi license are allowed to practice telemedicine in Mississippi. However, a valid Mississippi license is not required where the evaluation, treatment, and/or medicine to be rendered by a physician outside of Mississippi is requested by a physician duly licensed to practice medicine in Mississippi, and the physician who has requested such evaluation, treatment and/or medical opinion has already established a doctor/patient relationship with the patient to be evaluated and/or treated.

D. Only those CPT codes marked with a star (.) in the current Medical Fee Schedule may be reimbursed as telemedicine. Billing should include the use of modifier 95 and use of POS code 02.

E. For the duration of any declared Public Health Emergency, the use of telemedicine is expanded to include the following codes in the Therapeutic Services section: 97110, 97112, 97116, 97150, 97530, 97535, 97542, 97760, and 97761.

F. Telemedicine providers must use an interactive audio and video telecommunications system that permits real-time communication between the distant site and the patient. Practitioners who may provide telemedicine services include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and dieticians.

G. All telemedicine services must comply with the Mississippi Code and the requirements found in the current MWCC Medical Fee Schedule.

H. Authorized originating sites include: hospitals (acute and critical access), rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, skilled nursing facilities, community mental health centers, and in the clinics of the telemedicine providers listed in paragraph F.

I. Telemedicine services must include an examination of the patient which meets the applicable standards of care, a discussion with the patient, a diagnosis, and maintenance of a complete medical record.

J. Documentation requirements, including work status, are the same as for face-to-face services and shall include the locations of the rendering provider and the injured worker at the time of service.

K. Reimbursement for telemedicine is the same as if the services were provided in-person, except as elsewhere indicated in these rules.

Notes

20 Miss. Code. R. 2-XXIV

Adopted 6/15/2019 Amended 4/26/2021