June 29th, 2009
Following six months of discussions between Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and the NCMS, BCBSNC has announced that it has begun reimbursing physicians for electronic visits effective June 1, 2009. Electronic visits, or “E-visits,” are online medical evaluations conducted through a secured electronic channel similar to e-mail. It allows patients to submit information to physicians, with physicians responding within 1-2 business days. According to a 2006 survey by the Wall Street Journal, 74% of adults would like to use e-mail to communicate directly with their doctor. Circumstances under which physicians can be reimbursed for an E-visit include an established provider patient relationship based on a previous in-office visit. Services must include a problem focused history and straight forward medical decision-making as defined by CPT©. Requests for medication refills, reporting of normal test results, provision of educational materials, scheduling, registration and reminders are not reimbursable. BCBSNC worked extensively with NCMS on this policy, which is compliant with the AMA policy and ethical standards. For more information, see www.bcbsnc.com/assets/services/public/pdfs/medicalpolicy/evisits_ online_medical_evaluation.pdf.
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