Provider Update

Summer 2020

Antibiotic Utilization

With telemedicine the primary method of treating patients during the coronavirus pandemic, the increased use of antibiotics for upper respiratory infections is somewhat expected. The Boston Globe reported that some physicians are concerned that overuse of antibiotics during this time may lead to increased antibiotic resistance in the future. Please be cognizant of this issue and try to manage antibiotic utilization appropriately.

TRICARE and Telemedicine

TRICARE is now allowing telephone codes for both visits and telemedicine. However, US Family Health Plan does not allow preventive medicine codes (complete physical exam) to be billed for telemedicine visits.

The telephone codes are: 99441-99443. The telemedicine codes are 99212-99214 with the GT or GQ modifier.

Teladoc ^®

Teladoc is available to US Family Health Plan members for both behavioral and medical conditions. For medical conditions, it should be used primarily for (1) members who do not have access to their primary care provider through telemedicine or (2) instead of after-hours urgent-care visits. US Family Health Plan has contracted with Teladoc through the end of 2020 and may extend the contract after evaluating the service.