Audio-Only Telehealth
Telehealth services delivered via telephone or other audio-only technology, without a video component.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Telehealth
- Primary sources
- 2
- Workspace handoff
- ask d3 →
Where this comes up
Telehealth coding, place-of-service, modifier (95, GT, GQ, FQ, FR), and post-PHE policy parity all converge here. State licensure rules and DEA controlled-substance prescribing rules add a second compliance layer most billers learn about only after the first denial.
Full definition
What it is in practice
Telehealth.HHS.gov and CMS expanded audio-only flexibilities during the COVID PHE; permanent coverage applies to specific behavioral health services and limited E/M situations.
How it shows up in your practice
Document the reason audio-only was used. Confirm payer coverage for each audio-only CPT before billing.
Sources
- CMS — Medicare Telehealth Services Listhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/telehealth/list-services
- HHS Telehealth.HHS.govhttps://telehealth.hhs.gov/
Confirm audio-only coverage in Ask D3
Open ask d3 →Related terms
- TelehealthTelehealthDelivery of health care services through audio-video or audio-only technology when the patient is not at the same location as the practitioner.
- TelehealthModifier 93 (Audio-Only Synchronous Telehealth)CPT modifier indicating a synchronous telemedicine service rendered via audio-only technology.
- TelehealthTelehealth POS Codes (02 and 10)Place of Service 02 (telehealth other than home) and POS 10 (telehealth in patient's home) identify telehealth encounters on professional claims.
D3rx is a healthcare-billing and compliance research aid maintained by D3rx Inc. Articles are drafted by an LLM (Anthropic Claude) against primary HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and state-regulator publications, and reviewed for restraint and source fidelity by the D3rx team.
Reviewer status: a named credentialed reviewer (CHC, CHPC, or healthcare attorney) is being engaged. Until that engagement is finalized, this page does not claim credentialed review.
Related across the archive
- GlossaryModifier 93 (Audio-Only Synchronous Telehealth)CPT modifier indicating a synchronous telemedicine service rendered via audio-only technology.
- GlossaryTelehealthDelivery of health care services through audio-video or audio-only technology when the patient is not at the same location as the practitioner.
- GlossaryTelehealth POS Codes (02 and 10)Place of Service 02 (telehealth other than home) and POS 10 (telehealth in patient's home) identify telehealth encounters on professional claims.
- GlossaryDistant SiteUnder Medicare telehealth rules, the location of the practitioner delivering the telehealth service.
- GlossaryInterstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)A compact allowing physicians licensed in one member state to obtain expedited licensure in other member states.
- GlossaryModifier 95CPT modifier indicating a synchronous telemedicine service rendered via real-time interactive audio and video.
- GlossaryModifier GQ (Asynchronous Telehealth)HCPCS modifier indicating asynchronous (store-and-forward) telecommunications technology was used for the telehealth service.
- RegulationMLN: Medicare Telehealth ServicesReference to Medicare's telehealth policy: covered services list, originating and distant site rules, technology requirements, and the COVID-era flexibilities and their post-PHE status.
This glossary entry is a research aid for billing and compliance staff. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice and does not replace counsel. References cited link to primary sources at HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and the relevant payer or industry body.