Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update to Temporary Telehealth Coverage Changes for FQHCs and RHCs
On Friday, March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the state of South Carolina. As a part of the state’s preparation and response to COVID-19, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is announcing additional temporary modifications to policies related to telehealth coverage.
SCDHHS will reimburse Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for providing telehealth services pursuant to modified guidelines announced in the Medicaid bulletins issued on March 19 and March 23, 2020. These policy changes will be in effect for the duration of the current declared public health emergency, unless SCDHHS determines they should sunset at an earlier date. FQHCs and RHCs must follow all provisions stipulated in those bulletins, including billing codes, modifiers, provider qualifications and frequency limits. These codes will be treated as “bill-above” services and reimbursement will be based on the applicable SCDHHS fee schedule. SCDHHS will issue supplemental billing guidance for claims submitted for care delivered pursuant to these additional flexibilities.
SCDHHS will begin accepting claims for these policy changes beginning May 1, 2020, for dates of service allowable as stipulated in the March 19 and March 23, 2020, bulletins.
Additional guidance and modifications to coverage policy will be communicated in future bulletins as needed.
For a list of COVID-19-related temporary SCDHHS policy changes and resources, please visit www.scdhhs.gov/covid19. Thank you for your continued support of the South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid program.