The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly supports the continued provision of health care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic through the use of telehealth to provide appropriate elements of health supervision visits or acute and chronic care visits by pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists.
See below for additional guidance.
- Care by pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists should not be unnecessarily delayed and referrals should continue to be made for subspecialty and surgical care and other services.
- Well-child care should be provided consistent with the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4th Edition) and the corresponding Bright Futures/AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule).
- Well visits for children may be initiated through telehealth, recognizing that some elements of the well exam should be completed in-person. These elements include, at a minimum: the comprehensive physical exam; office testing, including laboratory testing; hearing, vision, and oral health screening; fluoride varnish; and immunizations.
- Pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists may conduct care via telehealth; however, some elements of the acute or chronic care visit may need to be completed in person.
- All payers should pay for telehealth visits at parity with in-person visits. Full payment for recommended codes should occur at the time of the initial visit (with the appropriate modifier) and should be eligible for full payment if billed by the pediatric provider no matter the age of the child. Whether the visit is for well child, acute, or chronic care, all visits should be eligible for payment.
Additional Information
Last Updated
05/08/2020
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics