Effective Jan. 1, the American Medical Association (AMA) added a new modifier for telemedicine, for use with audio-only telemedicine services.

The descriptor for the new modifier is Modifier 93 - Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only telecommunications system. This modifier goes on to describe the service as a "synchronous telemedicine service that is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located away at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. The totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that is sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction."

This information is not printed in the 2022 CPT book because it was created in September 2021, after the CPT books were printed. Review the full AMA announcement for additional information.

Keywords: American Medical Association, Telemedicine, Telephone, Communication, ACC Advocacy

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