Texas Reminds Providers Certain Exams Must Be Done in Person

While Texas is actively encouraging the use of telehealth to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, the Division of Workers’ Compensation posted a memo to remind providers that certain exams can only be done in-person.

Maximum medical improvement (MMI) and impairment rating (IR) evaluations will not be reimbursed if conducted via video or telephone. Telemedicine reimbursement rules have been in line with rules used by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), but those rules did not include billing codes for remote MMI or IR evaluations. Without guidance, state laws requiring doctors be present for these evaluations are being upheld.