Telephone Visit (CPT 99441-99443)
CPT codes for telephone evaluation and management services provided by a physician to an established patient when the call is not related to an E/M service performed within the previous seven days or leading to an E/M within 24 hours.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Telehealth
- Primary sources
- 1
- 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
99441-99443 stratify by time (5-10, 11-20, 21-30 minutes). Medicare coverage outside the PHE is limited; commercial payer coverage varies. Some payers crosswalk telephone visits to audio-only telehealth modifier 93.
How it shows up in your practice
Confirm payer-specific coverage. Document the time spent and the indication.
Sources
- CMS — Medicare Telehealth Services Listhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/telehealth/list-services
Confirm telephone-visit coverage in Ask D3
Open ask d3 →Related terms
- TelehealthAudio-Only TelehealthTelehealth services delivered via telephone or other audio-only technology, without a video component.
- TelehealthModifier 93 (Audio-Only Synchronous Telehealth)CPT modifier indicating a synchronous telemedicine service rendered via audio-only technology.
- TelehealthTelehealthDelivery of health care services through audio-video or audio-only technology when the patient is not at the same location as the practitioner.
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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
- GlossaryAudio-Only TelehealthTelehealth services delivered via telephone or other audio-only technology, without a video component.
- 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.
- GlossaryDistant SiteUnder Medicare telehealth rules, the location of the practitioner delivering the telehealth service.
- 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.
- GlossaryModifier GT (Telehealth, archived)HCPCS modifier historically used to indicate interactive audio-and-video telehealth services; largely replaced by POS 02/10 + modifier 95 for many payers.
- 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.