Resources

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has updated its policy to distinguish between services defined as telehealth phone or video consultations and services defined as remote access telemedicine. See Explained: Telehealth vs. Telemedicine for additional details.

We have unique requirements and conditions for telehealth and telemedicine. Refer to our Telehealth and Remote Access Telemedicine policy for details.

Telehealth
Telehealth provides a convenient option to patients for remote consultations in lieu of an in-person office visit using telephone and/or video technologies. For specific services allowed through telehealth, refer to our Telehealth Billing Guide for Providers.

Telehealth benefits are subject to a member’s specific health plan and can be verified by checking eligibility and benefits through ProviderAccess or your practice management system.

Telemedicine
Telemedicine refers to the use of telecommunications technology by a provider at a distant site to deliver remote clinical services to a patient who is at an originating location. Patients who receive telemedicine services are often in a rural area or otherwise lack access to a provider in their geographic area. 

All Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama members can receive remote access telemedicine services through our telemedicine program.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has specific provider requirements for conducting remote access telemedicine. Refer to our Equipment Standards for Telemedicine.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has adopted the CMS telemedicine code list for remote, HIPAA-compliant telemedicine access services rendered to Blue Cross members with the exception of codes on the possibly noncovered list. In some cases, these codes may be noncovered for Blue Cross members subject to their benefits and/or medical policy. Providers should verify benefits prior to rendering services. Note: This list of potentially noncovered codes does not apply to Blue Advantage^® members.

For more information, view our Telehealth and Remote Access Telemedicine policy or contact Provider Networks at Ask-PSC@bcbsal.org.

• LucetHealth Expanded Behavioral Health Coverage

Related Information:
CMS has updated telehealth place-of-service (POS) information in an effort to improve the reporting of telehealth services provided to patients.

• POS 10 code: The POS 10 code has been introduced to indicate telehealth services provided to patients who are in their home. 
• POS 02 code: A revision to the existing POS 02 code has been made to indicate telehealth services provided to a patient outside their home.

Detailed information about these codes are available in this CMS article.