With the aim of enhancing and coordinating the delivery of healthcare services in Bermuda, the Health Council developed a Telehealth guideline for providers and insurers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has proven to be a useful tool in the health system and in order to support providers, and insurers, the Health Council has complied standards and guidance for telehealth reimbursement. For questions or concerns, please contact us at 292-6420 or email us at healthcouncil@bhec.bm.
Health Council Telehealth Guide
The Health Council’s Telehealth Survey Report
As at September 2020
The Health Council addresses your frequently asked questions regarding Telehealth co-pay. For additional information on telehealth, we encourage you to download the complete telehealth guide.
- Why is there no co-pay? It is the position of the Council that the provision of care via telehealth does not require the same use of resources as an in-office visit. Therefore, with our recommendations of reimbursement for telehealth services, we believe a fair full value is presented.
The Health Council aims to address the concerns and questions about the reimbursement rate for telehealth services. Below are responses to your most asked questions regarding the concerns to reimbursement rate. For additional information on the telehealth reimbursement rate, we encourage you to download the complete telehealth guide.
- Will time spent performing non-direct patient services (e.g. chart reviews, physician to physician consults, etc.) be included in the reimbursement rate? Yes, non-direct patient services will be reflected in the telehealth price.
- Why are Specialists reimbursed at the same rate as primary care physicians? Outpatient office visits for evaluation and management are not differentiated in coding based on the type of physician. As such, that would not change for the provision of telehealth in the guidance. It is anticipated that specialist evaluation and management may take longer due to the complexity of the case and would therefore be reflected in the coding. In addition, it is understood that specialist care often involves other specialty-specific procedures that would be reflected in a broader claim such as surgery or a specialty-specific study.
- Insurance companies are reimbursing telehealth services for overseas care to unregistered health professionals, what is the pricing for overseas telehealth for unregistered health professionals? The Health Council does not make formal recommendations in respect of non-local unregistered health professionals. The Health Council does advocate for fair reimbursement for local registered practitioners.
The Health Council addresses your frequently asked questions regarding telehealth appointments. For additional information on telehealth, we encourage you to download the complete telehealth guide.
- If the client wants a telehealth appointment, why should the provider take a hit? Providers have the right to deny the optional provision of telehealth services if there is a clinical assessment that is best served through an in-person appointment. However, if the method of telehealth is being offered by an office and clients are denied service due specifically to a price disparity, then the Council would advise such matters to be further discussed by the relevant Statutory Bodies.
The Health Council addresses your frequently asked questions regarding codes for telehealth. For additional information on telehealth, we encourage you to download the complete telehealth guide.
- What about codes not identified on the list provided in the telehealth guide? The list provided is the most up-to-date list of codes related to telehealth and is based on the local and international experience of codes that are pertinent to be used through the remote provision of care. If there are specific codes that are not listed and are being suggested to be added to the current list, please send a request to the Bermuda Health Council at healthcouncil@bhec.bm.
The Health Council addresses your frequently asked questions regarding telehealth services for nursing homes. For additional information on telehealth, we encourage you to download the complete telehealth guide.
- Will nursing homes have the option to have telehealth consultation with physicians on patient care? Eligible clients are defined to include guardians or people deemed responsible for care. If a nursing home has been granted this power then they have the ability to talk to health professionals on their client’s behalf and the physician should follow the same reimbursement guide.
The Health Council addresses your frequently asked questions regarding telehealth pricing for overseas unregistered health professionals. For additional information on telehealth, we encourage you to download the complete telehealth guide.
- Insurance companies are reimbursing telehealth services for overseas care to unregistered health professionals, what is the pricing for overseas telehealth for unregistered health professionals? The Health Council does not make formal recommendations in respect of non-local unregistered health professionals. The Health Council does advocate for fair reimbursement for local registered practitioners.
The Bermuda Health Council recommends that services eligible to be provided through telehealth be reimbursed according to the “BHeC Telehealth Maximum Price”. For additional information, click to view the telehealth fee schedule.
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