Tobacco Counseling via Telehealth

Health equity in telehealth is the opportunity for everyone to receive the health care they need and deserve, regardless of social or economic status.

Medicare Part B covers intermediate and intensive tobacco counseling for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Tobacco cessation counseling is a service that can be provided via telehealth.

Telehealth can be used to improve access to tobacco cessation services. Telehealth helps to improve access to healthcare for various populations, including communities that lack providers and patients with limited time or mobility.

Did you know...

• Telehealth has the potential to expand access, reduce costs and improve the quality of care.
• Telehealth can be used to improve access to tobacco cessation services.
• Telehealth offers a mechanism to provide better follow up and a support for ongoing monitoring and adherence to tobacco cessation.
• Tobacco counseling services can be billed on the same day as an E/M service via telehealth.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized the extension of many of the telehealth flexibilities through 12/31/2024.

Health care providers may offer tobacco counseling services via telehealth to patients located in their homes and outside of designated rural areas.

CMS expanded the list of services that can be provided by telehealth. Some of these services will continue to be covered under Medicare through 12/31/2024.

• Some types of telehealth services no longer require both audio and video, including tobacco counseling services; visits can be conducted over the telephone.
• For details, see the List of Telehealth Services covered by Medicare.

Tobacco use counseling is a covered service under Medicare! Visit the National Government Services Tobacco Cessation web page today to learn more and to access the Tobacco Cessation Telehealth Guide.

Posted 12/26/2023