Teaching Physician Virtual Supervision in 2024 Clarification
This article is to clarify virtual supervision provided by the teaching physician for the key portions of the service of a resident. There has been some confusion on the setting in which CMS has indicated a virtual presence would continue to be allowed in teaching physician services that are provided by a resident.
Based on clarification provided by the CMS 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, a teaching physician may provide virtual supervision, as a means of direct supervision, if the physician and the resident are both providing the service virtually with the patient.
Virtual supervision would not be appropriate if the resident and the patient are in person for the service as has been previously reported. CMS has indicated that this policy is currently in effect through 12/31/2024.
Note: This continuing relaxation of supervision of teaching physician services continues to apply to MSA areas. Non-MSA teaching physician services continue to allow for the teaching physician to supervise virtually when the resident and patient are in the same location as finalized in the CY 2021 PFS Final Rule.
Related Content
Posted 1/19/2024