The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Change Request 13815, updating Medicare claims processing to allow home health agencies to report non-paid telehealth services for beneficiaries who are hospitalized. This change, effective October 30, 2024, aims to improve care coordination by enabling telehealth reporting without claim rejection.

Medicare generally prohibits home health care for beneficiaries who are inpatients at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, rejecting any overlapping home health claims. However, under the revised rules, CMS will accept telehealth service codes — G0320, G0321, and G0322 — on home health claims during inpatient stays. These codes allow agencies to remain in contact with caregivers without affecting Medicare payment, as they are non-payable reporting items.

This update addresses a previous issue where telehealth service codes on home health claims were rejected due to overlap with inpatient care dates. The change enables continuity in communication and support for beneficiaries through their caregivers during hospitalizations.