The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended on May 11, 2023

COVID-19 Testing

Effective July 1, 2021, during the Public Health Emergency:

Telemedicine codes: View list of EHP Telemedicine codes

The following additional testing codes have been added:

Effective April 10, 2020, during the Public Health Emergency:

Antibody Testing

• 86328: Immunoassay for infectious agent antibody(ies), qualitative or semiquantitative, single step method (eg, reagent strip); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]). 
• 86769: Antibody testing using multiple-step method; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]). 

Effective April 14, 2020, during the Public Health Emergency:

• U0003: Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), amplified probe technique, making use of high throughput technologies as described by CMS-2020-01-R.
• U0004: 2019-nCoV Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-CDC, making use of high throughput technologies as described by CMS-2020-01-R. 

Effective March 1, 2020, during the Public Health Emergency:

• G2023: Specimen collection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), any specimen source. 
• G2024: Specimen collection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), from an individual in a skilled nursing facility or by a laboratory on behalf of a home health agency, any specimen source. These codes are billable by clinical diagnostic laboratories. 

• EHP cost shares waived for all claim lines when U0001, U0002, U0003, U0004, 87635, G2023 or G2024 is present on claim, for visits with an in-network or out-of-network provider.
• EHP cost shares waived for all visits that lead to COVID-19 testing.

Effective Feb. 4, 2020:

• Testing for COVID-19 is covered with an in-network or out-of-network provider.
• Members will have no cost-sharing (copayments, coinsurance and deductibles) for COVID-19 testing or visits that result in COVID-19 testing, items and services provided during an office visit (including in office or telehealth provider office visits, urgent care and emergency department visits) that results in the administration of a COVID-19 test or an order for such test, but only to the extent that the items and services relate to the COVID-19 test.
• Prior authorizations waived for COVID-19 testing and the associated visit.
• Reimbursement for CMS codes: U0001 or U0002 and AMA code 87635.

Prescriptions

• To increase access to prescription medications, EHP is waiving the early medication refill limits for supplies of at least 30 days (for EHP members with pharmacy benefits through CVS/caremark).

Telemedicine

• Telemedicine is covered; originating site can be patient’s home. Services for diagnosis, consultation and treatment provided through telemedicine must meet all requirements of face-to-face visits between a licensed health care provider and patient consistent with the provider’s scope of practice.
• Please reference the Johns Hopkins Health Plans Medical Policy CMS00.27 Telemedicine/Telehealth Medical Policy for guidance on covered codes.
• Additional covered telemedicine services include preventative visits, additional behavioral health, PT/OT/Speech Therapy codes, home health, otolaryngology, and inpatient consultation services. A list of additional covered codes can be found here
• The following telemedicine code has also been added:
  • G2025 - For telehealth distant site services furnished between July 1, 2020, and the end of the COVID-19 PHE, RHCs and FQHCs will use an RHC/FQHC specific G code, G2025, to identify services that were furnished via telehealth. Reimbursement $92.00.
• Claims must be submitted with proper modifier (GT, GQ or 95 in accordance with how administered and in accordance with NCCI edits).
• There is no restriction on place of service (POS) of rendered services.
• Same authorization requirements apply for telemedicine as for face-to-face visits.
• Same copayments/co-insurance apply for telemedicine as for face-to-face visits.
• Telemedicine provided by out-of-network providers is covered and payable under member’s out-of-network benefits, if applicable.
• Telephonic consultation is covered. See list of covered codes in link above.