1. Permitting certain psychological evaluations via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain
Permitting use of psychological evaluation via telehealth for purposes of certain coverage of neurostimulation services— Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(x) Use of psychological evaluation via telehealth for purposes of coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain—Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, beginning January 1, 2021, for coverage under this part of neurostimulation services, as identified under the National Coverage Determination section 160.7, titled Medicare National Coverage Determination for Electrical Nerve Stimulators, as in effect on January 1, 2020 for the treatment of chronic pain, any requirement for a psychological evaluation prior to receipt of the service may be satisfied through such an evaluation via telehealth.”
Inclusion of certain psychological evaluations as telehealth services— Section 1834(m)(4)(F)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(4)(F)(i)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: “, and, beginning January 1, 2021, shall include psychological evaluations (identified by CPT codes 96130, 96131, 96136, 96137, 96138, and 96139 and any successor codes and additional codes the Secretary determines may be necessary to perform the psychological evaluation furnished prior to the provision of neurostimulation services) furnished prior to the provision of neurostimulation services (as described in section 1834(x)) for the purpose of treating chronic pain”.