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Virtual visits

Talk to a health care provider from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

What is a virtual visit? It may be a term you’re hearing more often. That’s because the use of virtual visits, also known as telehealth, has expanded recently, offering people more ways to connect with a health care provider from home or work. During a virtual visit, you use digital technologies, like your smartphone, tablet or computer, to talk with a provider. You can get treatment options and even prescriptions for medications, if needed.

UnitedHealthcare offers members options for virtual visits with local providers or by using UnitedHealthcare’s preferred national providers. For benefits coverage information, please  sign in to your health plan account . Let’s go over some of the basics about virtual visits and how they work.

Are virtual visits covered?

Virtual visits may be covered by your health insurance in a similar way to an office visit with your doctor. Depending on your benefit coverage, you may be able schedule a virtual visit with a local provider or have a virtual visit for primary care, therapy, specialty care or 24/7 with a national provider for urgent care or when your provider is not available. Sign in to your health plan account  or call the number on your member ID card to check your benefits for virtual visit coverage. Below are some options that may be available, based on your health plan.

Virtual care may include in-network virtual visits for medical, mental health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, chiropractic, home health, vision, hearing and dental services.

Virtual visits for mental health

If you need care for mental health issues, local health care providers may be able to provide virtual visits. Coverage may depend on your health plan benefits, so  sign in to your health plan account  or call the number on your member ID card first to learn what benefits may be available to you.

Emotional support by phone or mobile app

Some emotional support programs may be included with certain health plans. Sign in to your health plan account to learn if the following benefits may be available with your health plan.

• With Self Care by AbleTo , get personalized content that’s designed to help you boost your mood and shift your perspectives.
• With Talkspace online therapy, you can regularly communicate with a therapist, safely and securely from your phone or desktop. No office visit required. Talkspace is convenient, safe and secure. Simply register (first visit only) and choose a provider and message anywhere, anytime. Eligible members can visit talkspace.com/connect to get started.

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Virtual or In Person: Which Kind of Doctor’s Visit Is Better, and When It Matters

When the covid-19 pandemic swept the country in early 2020 and emptied doctors’ offices nationwide, telemedicine was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Patients and their physicians turned to virtual visits by video or phone rather than risk meeting face-to-face.

During the early months of the pandemic, telehealth visits for care exploded .

“It was a dramatic shift in one or two weeks that we would expect to happen in a decade,” said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra , a professor at Harvard Medical School whose research focuses on telemedicine and other health care delivery innovations. “It’s great that we served patients, but we did not accumulate the norms and [research] papers that we would normally accumulate so that we can know what works and what doesn’t work.”

Now, three years after the start of the pandemic, we’re still figuring that out. Although telehealth use has moderated, it has found a role in many physician practices, and it is popular with patients.

More than any other field, behavioral health has embraced telehealth. Mental health conditions accounted for just under two-thirds of telehealth claims in November 2022, according to FairHealth , a nonprofit that manages a large database of private and Medicare insurance claims.

Telehealth appeals to a variety of patients because it allows them to simply log on to their computer and avoid the time and expense of driving, parking, and arranging child care that an in-person visit often requires.

But how do you gauge when to opt for a telehealth visit versus seeing your doctor in person? There are no hard-and-fast rules, but here’s some guidance about when it may make more sense to choose one or the other.

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If It’s Your First Visit

“As a patient, you’re trying to evaluate the physician, to see if you can talk to them and trust them,” said Dr. Russell Kohl , a family physician and board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “It’s hard to do that on a telemedicine visit.”

Maybe your insurance has changed and you need a new primary care doctor or OB-GYN. Or perhaps you have a chronic condition and your doctor has suggested adding a specialist to the team. A face-to-face visit can help you feel comfortable and confident with their participation.

Sometimes an in-person first visit can help doctors evaluate their patients in nontangible ways, too. After a cancer diagnosis, for example, an oncologist might want to examine the site of a biopsy. But just as important, he might want to assess a patient’s emotional state.

“A diagnosis of cancer is an emotional event; it’s a life-changing moment, and a doctor wants to respond to that,” said Dr. Arif Kamal , an oncologist and the chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “There are things you can miss unless you’re sitting a foot or two away from the person.”

Once it’s clearer how the patient is coping and responding to treatment, that’s a good time to discuss incorporating telemedicine visits.

If a Physical Exam Seems Necessary

This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are nuances. Increasingly, monitoring equipment that people can keep at home — a blood pressure cuff, a digital glucometer or stethoscope, a pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygen, or a Doppler monitor that checks a fetus’s heartbeat — may give doctors the information they need, reducing the number of in-person visits required.

Someone’s overall physical health may help tip the scales on whether an in-person exam is needed. A 25-year-old in generally good health is usually a better candidate for telehealth than a 75-year-old with multiple chronic conditions.

But some health complaints typically require an in-person examination, doctors said, such as abdominal pain, severe musculoskeletal pain, or problems related to the eyes and ears.

Abdominal pain could signal trouble with the gallbladder, liver, or appendix, among many other things.

“We wouldn’t know how to evaluate it without an exam,” said Dr. Ryan Mire , an internist who is president of the American College of Physicians.

Unless a doctor does a physical exam, too often children with ear infections receive prescriptions for antibiotics, said Mehrotra, pointing to a study he co-authored comparing prescribing differences between telemedicine visits, urgent care, and primary care visits.

In obstetrics, the pandemic accelerated a gradual shift to fewer in-person prenatal visits. Typically, pregnancy involves 14 in-person visits. Some models now recommend eight or fewer, said Dr. Nathaniel DeNicola, chair of telehealth for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A study found no significant differences in rates of cesarean deliveries, preterm birth, birth weight, or admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit between women who received up to a dozen prenatal visits in person and those who received a mix of in-person and virtual visits.

Contraception is another area where less may be more, DeNicola said. Patients can discuss the pros and cons of different options virtually and may need to schedule a visit only if they want an IUD inserted.

If Something Is New, or Changes

When a new symptom crops up, patients should generally schedule an in-person visit. Even if the patient has a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease that is under control and care is managed by a familiar physician, sometimes things change. That usually calls for a face-to-face meeting too.

“I tell my patients, ‘If it’s new symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms, that probably warrants an in-person visit,’” said Dr. David Cho , a cardiologist who chairs the American College of Cardiology’s Health Care Innovation Council. Changes could include chest pain, losing consciousness, shortness of breath, or swollen legs.

When patients are sitting in front of him in the exam room, Cho can listen to their hearts and lungs and do an EKG if someone has chest pain or palpitations. He’ll check their blood pressure, examine their feet to see if they’re retaining fluid, and look at their neck veins to see if they are bulging .

But all that may not be necessary for a patient with heart failure, for example, whose condition is stable, he said. They can check their own weight and blood pressure at home, and a periodic video visit to check in may suffice.

Video check-ins are effective for many people whose chronic conditions are under control, experts said.

When someone is undergoing treatment for cancer, certain pivotal moments will require a face-to-face meeting, said Kamal, of the American Cancer Society.

“The cancer has changed or the treatment has changed,” he said. “If they’re going to stop chemotherapy, they need to be there in person.”

And one clear recommendation holds for almost all situations: Even if a physician or office scheduler suggests a virtual visit, you don’t have to agree to it.

“As a consumer, you should do what you feel comfortable doing,” said Dr. Joe Kvedar , a professor at Harvard Medical School and immediate past board chairman of the American Telemedicine Association . “And if you really want to be seen in the office, you should make that case.”

Related Topics

• Mental Health
• Telemedicine

Copy And Paste To Republish This Story

By Michelle Andrews March 6, 2023

When the covid-19 pandemic swept the country in early 2020 and emptied doctors’ offices nationwide, telemedicine was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Patients and their physicians turned to virtual visits by video or phone rather than risk meeting face-to-face.

“It was a dramatic shift in one or two weeks that we would expect to happen in a decade,” said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra , a professor at Harvard Medical School whose research focuses on telemedicine and other health care delivery innovations. “It’s great that we served patients, but we did not accumulate the norms and [research] papers that we would normally accumulate so that we can know what works and what doesn’t work.”

Now, three years after the start of the pandemic, we’re still figuring that out. Although telehealth use has moderated, it has found a role in many physician practices, and it is popular with patients.

But how do you gauge when to opt for a telehealth visit versus seeing your doctor in person? There are no hard-and-fast rules, but here’s some guidance about when it may make more sense to choose one or the other.

If It’s Your First Visit

“As a patient, you’re trying to evaluate the physician, to see if you can talk to them and trust them,” said Dr. Russell Kohl , a family physician and board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “It’s hard to do that on a telemedicine visit.”

Sometimes an in-person first visit can help doctors evaluate their patients in nontangible ways, too. After a cancer diagnosis, for example, an oncologist might want to examine the site of a biopsy. But just as important, he might want to assess a patient’s emotional state.

“A diagnosis of cancer is an emotional event; it’s a life-changing moment, and a doctor wants to respond to that,” said Dr. Arif Kamal , an oncologist and the chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “There are things you can miss unless you’re sitting a foot or two away from the person.”

Once it’s clearer how the patient is coping and responding to treatment, that’s a good time to discuss incorporating telemedicine visits.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are nuances. Increasingly, monitoring equipment that people can keep at home — a blood pressure cuff, a digital glucometer or stethoscope, a pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygen, or a Doppler monitor that checks a fetus’s heartbeat — may give doctors the information they need, reducing the number of in-person visits required.

Someone’s overall physical health may help tip the scales on whether an in-person exam is needed. A 25-year-old in generally good health is usually a better candidate for telehealth than a 75-year-old with multiple chronic conditions.

“We wouldn’t know how to evaluate it without an exam,” said Dr. Ryan Mire , an internist who is president of the American College of Physicians.

“I tell my patients, ‘If it’s new symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms, that probably warrants an in-person visit,’” said Dr. David Cho , a cardiologist who chairs the American College of Cardiology’s Health Care Innovation Council. Changes could include chest pain, losing consciousness, shortness of breath, or swollen legs.

When patients are sitting in front of him in the exam room, Cho can listen to their hearts and lungs and do an EKG if someone has chest pain or palpitations. He’ll check their blood pressure, examine their feet to see if they’re retaining fluid, and look at their neck veins to see if they are bulging .

“The cancer has changed or the treatment has changed,” he said. “If they’re going to stop chemotherapy, they need to be there in person.”

And one clear recommendation holds for almost all situations: Even if a physician or office scheduler suggests a virtual visit, you don’t have to agree to it.

“As a consumer, you should do what you feel comfortable doing,” said Dr. Joe Kvedar , a professor at Harvard Medical School and immediate past board chairman of the American Telemedicine Association . “And if you really want to be seen in the office, you should make that case.”

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Office Technology | Buyer's Guide

6 Best Virtual Office Companies for Small Business

Published December 7, 2023

Published Dec 7, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Corey McCraw

WRITTEN BY: Marianne De Guzman

This article is part of a larger series on Unified Communications .

• Best Virtual Offices Companies Compared

Davinci Virtual Office: Best Overall for Global Expansion

Alliance virtual offices: best for receptionist support, northwest registered agent: best for affordability, regus: best for flexible workspaces, servcorp: best for hybrid work, sococo: best for remote teams.

• How We Evaluated the Best Virtual Offices
• Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

The best virtual office companies enable any remote business to build a physical presence with a registered professional address. They offer additional services, such as a live receptionist, phone system, mail handling, and meeting rooms, giving you the advantages of a physical office without the actual overhead costs. In terms of pricing, these providers offer flexible membership terms and payments, depending on the preferred location.

Based on our evaluation, we recommend the following virtual office companies:

• Davinci Virtual Office : Best for global expansion
• Alliance Virtual Offices : Best for receptionist support
• Northwest Registered Agent : Best for affordability
• Regus : Best for flexible workspaces
• Servcorp : Best for hybrid work
• Sococo : Best for remote teams

Best Virtual Office Companies Compared

What We Liked

• Wide range of locations locally and overseas
• Availability of 20,000 meeting spaces
• Registered agent services

Where It Falls Behind

• Extra fee for the virtual office setup
• Additional cost for mail receipt and forwarding
• Live receptionist service is a bit pricey

Davinci Virtual Office Pricing

• Virtual office One-time setup fee starts at $150 : Starts at $49 monthly, depending on the location, with a $150 one-time setup fee for location services
• Meeting spaces: $5 per hour
• Virtual addresses: $50 per month
• Coworking spaces: $10 per hour
• Live receptionist: Starts at $129 per month with 50 answering minutes
• Live web chat: Starts at $79 per month with 25 chat sessions

Davinci Virtual Office is our overall best virtual office service for businesses wanting to expand internationally for a lower cost. It operates in over 100 countries, including Australia, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Spain, South Korea, and the U.K. This allows your business to expand in many overseas markets without having a dedicated office space.

Davinci Virtual has its very own live answering service that gives you a team of trained receptionists who will answer and manage your phone calls. Upgrading to the Premium live receptionist plan includes admin assistant services like appointment scheduling and order processing.

Unfortunately, Davinci Virtual Office charges separately for its business address, live receptionist, and meeting spaces. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive virtual office plan, check out Alliance Virtual Offices . A monthly subscription includes a business address, mail receipt, website, and the option to add a live receptionist service.

Davinci Virtual Office Features

Collaborate with colleagues and partners in modern, tech-enabled coworking and meeting spaces. (Source: Davinci Virtual Office)

• Business support center: Have important business documents ready using the center’s copying, color printing, and faxing services. Office supplies are available.
• Lobby directory listing: Establish credibility and professionalism by having your company’s name posted in the official lobby directory.
• Offices for different needs: Book permanent offices, meeting rooms, coworking spaces, and event venues.

• On-demand access to meeting rooms and office spaces
• Use of onsite amenities like photocopier and printer
• Over 50 phone features
• Pricey $200 one-time setup fee
• Additional fees for virtual phone and business number
• Frequent mail forwarding is not included in its entry-level plan

Alliance Virtual Offices Monthly Pricing

• Platinum: Starts at $49 for a business address, mail receipt, business licensing, bank account, website, and lobby receptionist
• Platinum with live receptionist: Starts at $174 for everything in Platinum, 50 live answering minutes, VoIP phone service, and appointment scheduling, and meeting space access
• Platinum Plus: Starts at $99 for everything in Platinum, meeting rooms, and private office access
• Platinum Plus with live receptionist: Starts at $224 for everything in Platinum Plus, 50 live answering minutes, VoIP phone service, and appointment scheduling, and meeting space access

Alliance Virtual Offices is one of the best virtual office services offering dedicated plans for professional phone answering. Upon picking an office address, you can tie it with a live receptionist plan at a reasonable rate starting at $174 per month.

While most competitors have a similar live receptionist offering, Alliance Virtual Office offers additional live receptionist services as part of its monthly packages. These include a virtual phone system, business numbers, appointment scheduling, and lead capture.

Similar to Davinci Virtual, the drawback of choosing Alliance Virtual Services is that you need to pay a $200 one-time setup fee to get started. If you don’t want to spend more, go for Northwest Registered Agent , as its virtual office plan only costs $29 monthly.

Alliance Virtual Offices Features

Alliance Virtual Offices features meeting rooms that can be reserved through its website. (Source: Alliance Virtual Offices )

• Office spaces: Book meeting rooms and coworking spaces as needed. The Platinum Plus plan offers the use of meeting rooms for up to 16 hours. The starting price for the coworking spaces is $150 per month.
• Valuable amenities: Visit the business center when you need to print important documents. Other amenities offered include coffee and snack stations.
• Business phone number: Choose between local and toll-free numbers, depending on your business needs. Maximize over 50 phone system features, including call screening, call recording, call waiting, caller ID, call blocking, and after-hours greetings.

• Low-cost monthly plan
• Free credit card processing consultation
• Business phone number included in the basic plan
• Limited location options
• Fees for conference room rentals not clear
• Lacks coworking spaces and private offices

Northwest Registered Agent Monthly Pricing

• Virtual office: $29 for a business address, digital/physical mail forwarding, phone service, and suite number
• Mail forwarding: $20 per month
• Additional phone number: $9 per phone number
• Business website: $9 per month
• Registered agent: $125 a year for local document scanning, free limited mail forwarding, pre-filled state forms, and annual report compliance instructions and reminders
• Free trial: 60 days for phone service

Northwest Registered Agent is our best virtual office for small business on a budget, particularly startups and solopreneurs looking for an affordable U.S.-based business address. In fact, it’s significantly cheaper than other providers in this guide. Its monthly plan only costs $29, covering phone services and a unique suite number for a professional business address.

Its virtual office package includes voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service that gives you a local phone number that works with your existing phone. Since the provider offers registered agent services, it helps businesses manage new company filing and registration of existing companies in other states.

Despite being budget-friendly, Northwest Registered Agent operates only in a selected number of U.S. states. If you want to set up an office in locations not covered by Northwest Registered Agent, you’ll likely find it in Regus , as it has a vast geographical footprint.

Northwest Registered Agent Features

Comprehensive guides and resources are available on the website to help you jump-start your business. (Source: Northwest Registered Agent Features )

• Free credit card processing consultation: Find the best and cheapest options for collecting payments. Cheap rates and pre-negotiated contract terms let you introduce hassle-free payment platforms for your clients.
• Registered agent : Ensures your business receives all legal documents from local law enforcement agencies like Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA BOC-3) trucking filing.
• Mail forwarding: Let Alliance handle all the sorting, scanning, and forwarding necessary for each mail you receive. All business mails are handled by professionals who ensure proper handling of confidential information.

• Mail handling at the base plan
• Flexible workspace types
• Geographical footprint extends overseas
• Displayed prices are based on two-year contracts
• Poor customer service, according to some users
• Workspace access locked in premium plans

Regus Monthly Pricing Pricing depends on location

• Business address: Starts at $45 for a business address and mail handling
• Virtual Office: Starts at $145 for a business address, local phone number, virtual receptionist, unlimited business lounge access, and two-day office use
• Virtual Office Plus: Starts at $189 for virtual office inclusions and five-day workspace access

Regus is our best virtual office space with its flexible workspace options for meeting rooms, coworking, events, and office space in over 4,000 locations worldwide. Customizable office rentals range from fully equipped offices to on-demand day offices. You can also choose multiple virtual addresses and relocate them at any time, allowing you to decide how and where you want to work.

The Virtual Office Plan covers a two-day use of a physical office at your chosen center, allowing you to explore the feasibility of certain locations for your business. Reserving workspaces is easy even while traveling since you can do it through a mobile app. Plus, you get complimentary access to business lounges around the world with Regus Express.

While Regus charges reasonably for business addresses, it gets more expensive if you consider a more comprehensive package or an in-demand location. If you’re looking for an affordable virtual office, Northwest Registered Agent is your best bet, as it only costs $29 per month.

Regus Features

Regus lets businesses secure a virtual office with a prestigious business address in top cities in the U.S. and overseas. (Source: Regus )

• Airport lounge access: If you’re constantly traveling for work, you’ll benefit from Regus hubs in airport terminals. Here, you get access to Wi-Fi, enabling you to squeeze in work between flights.
• Community networking: On days when you’re meeting the team physically at a Regus office, you can meet other professionals and entrepreneurs in the events organized for the community.
• Professional receptionist: Maintain a professional image when clients and partners visit your virtual office to drop by packages or meet you face to face. The highly trained receptionist will welcome your guests.

• Free first month of virtual office subscription
• Free use of coworking spaces worldwide (up to 3 hours per day)
• Broad range of location options
• Pricey entry-level plan
• Dedicated phone number comes with extra fees
• Office spaces are limited to four cities: New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Houston

Servcorp Monthly Pricing Pricing depends on location

• Address package: Starts $79.20 for a business address, mail and courier management services, and worldwide complimentary access to coworking space for up to an hour per day
• Virtual office: Starts at $134.40 for a business address, mail management, local phone number, and dedicated receptionist
• Communications package: Starts at $79.20 for a local business number, dedicated receptionist, live call answering, forwarding messages, and interactive voicemail

Servcorp is the best virtual office space if you have a hybrid team needing a physical workspace for occasional on-site meetings or training. A subscription package includes a range of perks for meeting and working with colleagues in different types of offices. For one, it includes free access to coworking spaces worldwide for up to three hours.

Similarly, you have complimentary use of a private office or meeting room at your locale for a maximum of eight hours monthly. There’s also a one-day complimentary use of a private office in any location outside of your home city. Take advantage of this perk if you’re planning to switch to a permanent workplace and set up a physical office .

Before subscribing to Servcorp’s virtual office solutions, note that it only operates in four U.S. cities: New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Houston. If your target location is not included in their portfolio, choose Regus or Davinci Virtual Office instead, both of which have a more extensive geographical footprint than Servcorp.

Servcorp Features

Servcorp offers virtual office clients the perks of using coworking spaces. (Source: Servcorp )

• Secretary and receptionist: The virtual receptionist picks up and redirects incoming calls to appropriate channels, ensuring you get all the important messages from clients. The virtual secretary, on the other hand, handles all the admin tasks like email and fax requirements.
• Mail forwarding: Even if you’re a highly mobile team, you’ll get the packages and mail you need wherever you are. Servcorp has flexible mail forwarding options.
• VoIP app: Use Servcorp Onefone to send and receive calls on your phone number from anywhere in the world. There are no international call or cellular global roaming charges.

• Virtual collaboration tools that mimic real-life collaboration
• Generous conferencing minutes per month
• Integrations with popular video meeting software
• No physical business address since it operates purely online
• Lacks mail receipt and forwarding services
• Confusing user interface

Sococo Monthly Pricing

• Sococo: $14.99 per seat for a minimum of 10 seats and 500 conferencing minutes per seat
• Sococo Unlimited Pricing is exclusively for annual billing : $24.99 per seat for a minimum of 100 seats and unlimited conferencing minutes per seat
• Free trial: 14 days for a maximum of 25 users

Sococo is among the best virtual office providers for remote teams that don’t need a physical workspace but want to feel connected all the same. It simulates a real-life office, with its layout view of the entire workplace, offices, and meeting rooms included, so you know where your team members are.

The typical actions in a physical office are mimicked as well. There’s an option to “get” a teammate and pull them into a real-time virtual discussion or “knock” on a meeting room to join the conference. Live audio and video conferencing tools are available, as well as team chat, and file and screen sharing. It’s available in mobile app form, making it easily accessible for remote teams.

As you would expect, the drawback in choosing an exclusively virtual office solution like Sococo is the lack of a physical address. There’s no admin staff handling mail to your workplace. If your team needs to meet now and then and receives mail on a daily basis, it’s better to choose Alliance Virtual Offices , as its subscription plan covers a business address, live receptionist, and mail handling.

Sococo Features

Sococo enables users to invite colleagues to meeting rooms and private offices. (Source: Sococo )

• Get User: Direct team members to specific huddle spaces within your virtual workspace. It’s as simple as right-clicking the avatar of the user you want to invite and selecting the option “Get User.”
• Integrations with conferencing platforms: Connect your Sococo virtual workspace to conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet as well as unified communications tools Webex and Microsoft Teams. Slack also integrates with the platform.
• Floor plans and office decor: Create floor plans and assign rooms for various departments in your team. Add decor like lamps, tables, chairs, and cabinets to make the virtual office more like an actual office.

How We Evaluated the Best Virtual Office Companies

The market is teeming with various agencies offering legitimate business addresses and flexible workspaces. We handpicked six virtual office companies based on their popularity, customer feedback, and range of services. From there, we created a rubric scoring sheet where we rated each software against a set of criteria:

• General Features
• Advanced Features
• Customer Support
• Expert Score

25% of Overall Score

We considered the monthly cost of virtual office plans of each provider. Providers earn additional points if they accept credit cards, offer volume discounts, and have a base plan below $50. 

We looked at the basic functions offered by virtual office companies, such as conference room rentals, mail forwarding, and live receptionist services. We also checked the number of local and global locations supported.

20% of Overall Score

Apart from a physical office address, the best virtual offices deliver a wealth of services to make remote work easier for teams. These include registered agent solutions, same-day digital scanning of mail, and phone services.

10% of Overall Score

We looked at the types of support channels the provider offers, including phone, live chat, and an email ticketing system. Additional points are awarded if all channels are available round-the-clock.

Each provider received points based on our personal experience with the platforms and customer feedback regarding ease of use, standout features, and service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do i set up a virtual office.

When setting up a virtual office, you need to find a location that works best for your business and market. A great tip is to look for a location near where you live so it’s easier to pick up the mail and documents sent to your business address. From there, look for a virtual office company that supports your preferred office location. Providers may vary depending on pricing and services offered.

How does a virtual business address work?

A virtual office address is typically situated in business areas, allowing remote businesses to establish a presence in that location without relocating. It also works for companies wanting to build a market in a specific area without the need to physically expand. Although company work is done somewhere else, all mail and files sent to your virtual business address will be forwarded to you.

What is a virtual office good for?

A virtual office is designed for any type of business wanting to expand its market and project a professional image without the overhead that comes with moving to a physical location. These include startups, solopreneurs, online businesses, home offices, small businesses, and even enterprise companies.

A virtual office is an excellent solution for small businesses that want to secure a professional address in a top-notch location with fewer costs. Based on our evaluation, Davinci Virtual Office is our top virtual office service because of its extensive support for global locations and comprehensive live receptionist services. Get started with this provider for only $49 per month.

Visit Davinci Virtual Office

About the Author

Find Marianne On LinkedIn

Marianne De Guzman

Marianne is a staff writer covering business phone systems, unified communications, and contact center platforms. She started her career as a freelance content writer, producing hundreds of content for global clients. From there, she built her expertise in writing about software as a service (SaaS) content.

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Why do companies use virtual offices?  

McKinsey, Microsoft, and PwC all agree that over 70% of the future workforce will utilize remote work. Hybrid and remote companies that utilize virtual office applications experience better team member communication, collaboration, and company culture.

What are the benefits of a virtual workspace?  

Everyone, employees, management, and companies all benefit. The goal of a virtual workplace is to provide a virtual environment where workers, managers, and organizations engaged in hybrid, distributed, and remote can thrive.

How can I host virtual events online?  

Kumospace is an immersive virtual events platform . It makes hosting virtual gathers online easy, from organizing virtual games with friends to running a virtual conference if you are Fortune 10 company. The product is free to use. Here is a helpful guide for hosting virtual events .

How do I create a virtual workplace?  

Signing up takes only a couple of minutes and is completely free. Many of the companies that offer virtual office software have free versions, including Kumospace . To get started, simply create your virtual work environment and then invite your hybrid or remote team. Looking for help, or just want tips, schedule a time to speak with a Kumospace virtual office expert .

Virtual Visits: Making Healthcare Easier in a Socially Distanced World

Written by: Andrew Hall

Key Takeaways

Virtual healthcare visits utilize technology to connect you with doctors in real-time.

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, many Americans prefer to skip the physical office visit instead of utilizing telemedicine or virtual office visits.

Telehealth and virtual office visits can be used for any minor health needs and illnesses like sore throats, colds, skin rashes, fevers, stomach bugs, and more.

What are virtual visits?

Virtual visits utilize technology (usually phones or video calls) to connect you with doctors in real-time. Virtual visits are like a FaceTime or Zoom call with your doctor and can diagnose and treat minor health conditions.

What Medicare coverage is right for my specific situation?

Sick Kids, Social Distancing, and Virtual Visits

Parents: Do you have a son or daughter who routinely uses your sleeve as a tissue? What about a child who always seems to come home with whatever is circulating around their classroom? Lice? Chicken pox? Hand, foot and mouth? Does it seem like your little ones are home sick more than they’re in school?

It’s inevitable that with blustery winds and freezing temperatures, winter also brings its share of colds, flus, and who knows what else. It’s hard to predict exactly what your children are going to come down with and when, but having a plan in place helps you prepare to tackle sickness head-on.

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, many Americans prefer to skip the physical office visit instead of utilizing telemedicine or virtual office visits. And while some still value human interaction when it comes to doctor-patient relationships, most – 76 percent – would rather have easy access to healthcare, according to an American Hospital Association study. [i]

Picture This Scenario

Picture this: It’s 7:30 a.m. and your child is running a temperature of 102 degrees. Instead of setting your alarm for the very second the pediatrician’s office opens so you can snag an appointment, wouldn’t it be great to have immediate access to a board-certified doctor?

Well, now you can.

Telehealth and virtual office visits can be used for any minor health needs and illnesses like sore throats, colds, skin rashes, fevers, stomach bugs, and more. Basically, anything you would consider going to a walk-in clinic for can be assessed via telehealth or virtual office visits.

There are different tools and apps now available that give you 24/7 access to doctors who can diagnose conditions and prescribe appropriate treatment. Some of these tools can also save you money on other healthcare needs, like prescription drugs, vision care, dental procedures, and more.

So the next time you’re thinking of packing sick kids into a car to make the long commute to the doctor, consider a virtual visit instead.

Can I bundle multiple benefits into one plan?

Do virtual doctor visits cost more?

While this typically depends on your provider and health insurance policy, many patients simply pay the same copayment amount they would for an in-office visit.

Are there any services I can't get virtually?

Yes–virtual visits are a great way to get many non-critical, preventive and non-invasive services done. Some, though, will require a closer examination from your doctor. If you have any questions, a quick call to your doctor’s office will help. The staff there will typically discuss the reason for your visit and determine if it can be done virtually, or if you’ll need to go in.

Fact Sheet: Telehealth . AHA.org.

This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

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Opening new doors to care with telehealth

Increasing coverage and access to at-home care. For the Health of America.

In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans were under orders to stay home and “flatten the curve.” As healthcare facilities filled with COVID-19 cases, those seeking in-person medical care for other reasons were at risk of contracting the virus.

To address these issues, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies committed to expanding coverage and access to virtual care solutions. Some health plans are also offering additional telehealth resources to meet specific needs in their regions. 

For millennials, this shift could lead to a welcome, lasting change. In response to last year's Blue Cross Blue Shield,  The Health of America Report ®  on millennial health , BCBS companies across the country hosted listening sessions with millennials and industry leaders. One key takeaway was that, while millennials do not want to lose access to in-person care, they do need the flexibility and convenience of telehealth. Below, learn more about how BCBS companies are expanding the virtual landscape of care. 

Removing barriers to telemental health

• The need for mental and emotional well-being is now more apparent than ever. To help people coping with the emotional impact of isolation and crisis—regardless of insurance status—Florida Blue      is currently offering free telemental health for their members and the community at large.
• Read more  about BCBS initiatives to address mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expanding benefits for self-insured employers

• Employers who are self-insured may have initially opted out of telehealth or virtual office visit benefits. To ensure these companies’ employees can access care from home, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield are expanding telehealth benefits to such members.

Training virtual doctors for COVID-19

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is ensuring all of their virtual care doctors have undergone coronavirus-specific training . This allows them to appropriately screen for COVID-19 symptoms and advise on needed follow-up care.

Offering a broader array of services

• Independence Blue Cross expanded their covered telemedicine services to make it possible for more members to get the care they need from home. These expanded services include specialist visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, urgent care, nutritionist visits and behavioral health visits for members with autism spectrum disorder.
• To help improve access to dental care when appointments are limited and removing one's mask still presents a risk, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS MA) and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem BCBS) gave dental members access to online dental care via telehealth platforms. Both BCBSMA and Anthem BCBS members received free virtual care through the fall of 2020. 

Supporting clinicians in offering telehealth

• Telehealth isn’t just a new way of doing things for members. It can also be new for healthcare workers, who may have never practiced virtual care. To allay these uncertainties and meet the growing need for virtual visits, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is calling on available clinicians to offer telehealth services, making the transfer easy and paying them at parity to in-person visits.
• Excellus BlueCross BlueShield both expanded access to telehealth services and physician offices how to use it in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. This move allowed many local providers in upstate New York to continue seeing patients and keep their doors open—virtually—as they face lost in-office revenue. In an effort to further support their provider partners , the company is also absorbing a $12 million reduction in Medicaid rates from the state this year rather than passing it on.

Broadening community access to care

• Now more than ever, being uninsured can cause fear or anxiety. To help its community navigate these uncertainties, regardless of insurance status, Capital BlueCross offered discounted telehealth access to the general public in the wake of the pandemic—including a growing number of uninsured individuals.

Covering the cost of specialist phone triage

• To support the Rhode Island community in getting access to high-quality care while following stay-at-home orders, BlueCross & BlueShield of Rhode Island is covering the cost of specialist phone triage . As the state’s largest health insurer, this move will help Rhode Islanders determine the level of care they may need without overburdening the health system at this precarious time.

Expanding permanent telehealth offerings

• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBS TN) is permanently expanding access to telehealth care for its members. This move means in-network visits with primary, specialty and behavioral health care services are now covered through and beyond the current pandemic. Following the dramatic expansion of these services during COVID-19, this decision makes BCBS TN the first major insurer to embrace telehealth for the long-term.
• A new report  dives deep into the impact of behavioral health conditions on millennials and how the COVID-19 pandemic may be further impacting this generation.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.

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Why use telehealth?

Connecting with your health care provider online is a great way to get the health care you need from the comfort and safety of your home.

On this page:

What does telehealth mean, what are the benefits of telehealth, how can i get comfortable with telehealth.

Telehealth — sometimes called telemedicine — lets you see your health care provider without going to their office. You can have a telehealth visit online using your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Telehealth care allows you to:

• Talk with your health care provider on the phone or using video.
• Send messages with your health care provider safely.
• Track your health care using technology so you can share information like your blood pressure with your provider.

Tip: Are you new to telehealth? Get tips and information on the basics of telehealth (PDF).

Learn how to use telehealth to connect virtually with your health care provider.

Having a telehealth visit is just like a regular visit, but you are in one place and your health care provider is in another. While you may need to see your health care provider in person sometimes, telehealth has many benefits.

• It keeps you and others from getting sick by being close to each other.
• You can see your health care provider anywhere: home, work, or even your car.
• It saves time because you don’t need to travel, take time off, or find someone to watch your kids.
• You may get an appointment faster.
• You have more choices. You can have a visit with a health care provider who may be far from you.

Telehealth may not be right for everyone or every health care condition. Always talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

You should feel confident with telehealth. This is important to make sure you get the best care possible.

Pick a provider that makes you comfortable. Your health care provider should be someone you trust. They should make you feel welcome no matter who you are or where you are from. If you speak another language, you can find a provider who speaks your language or use a translator. Using telehealth can give you more choices.

More information:

6 ways to power up your health with telehealth: know your health care options (PDF) — Health Resources and Services Administration

How telehealth helps patients access care (video) — Health Resources and Services Administration

Types of telehealth services (video) — Health Resources and Services Administration

What can be treated through telehealth? — Health Resources and Services Administration

What to expect from a telehealth visit (video) — Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center

For patients

Wondering how to get started with telehealth? Check out the information below to better understand your options for virtual health care visits.

What are different types of telehealth?

There are many ways you can use telehealth to connect to your health care provider.

How to Code for Telehealth, Audio-Only, and Virtual-Digital Visits 

Learn how to accurately get paid for telemedicine services with medical codes for telehealth, audio-only, and virtual-digital visits.

Looking for additional telemedicine coding resources?

Coding for Telehealth Visits

Note:  These tables are informational, not advisory. The AAFP recommends that physicians verify each payer's policy and ask patients to verify their coverage ahead of appointments. 

How do I code a new or established patient telehealth office visit that uses audio-video communications technology?

* Elevance's  policies vary by state; contact your provider-relations representative.

Coding for Audio-only Visits

How do i code an audio-only visit for a new or established patient .

CPT Codes: 99441-99443 

Audio-only scenario notes 

Medicare requires audio-video for most office visit evaluation and management (E/M) services (CPT codes 99202-99215) telehealth services. Audio-only encounters are allowed for certain services. Eligible services may be found on the Medicare Telehealth Services list. Medicare allows audio-only telehealth services for office visit E/M services (CPT codes 99202-99215) for the treatment of mental health conditions.   

UHC states they will consider payment for eligible audio-only services listed in Appendix P of the CPT book. Eligible services must be reported using either POS 02 or 10 and include the -93 modifier. CPT codes billed with modifier -93 that are not in Appendix P will not be considered for payment.   

Private payers vary on covered telehealth services. Check with your provider relations representatives for each payer’s telehealth policy and covered telehealth services. 

CMS will cover telephone evaluation and management (E/M) services (CPT codes 99441-99443) through the end of calendar year 2023. Other services that may be provided via audio-only are available on the Medicare Telehealth List. 

Telephone E/M services are provided to a patient, parent, or guardian and do not originate from a related E/M service within the previous seven days and do not lead to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment. 

The following codes may be used by physicians or other qualified health professionals who may report E/M services: 

• 99441: telephone E/M service; 5-10 minutes of medical discussion 
• 99442: telephone E/M service; 11-20 minutes of medical discussion 
• 99443: telephone E/M service, 21-30 minutes of medical discussion 

Telephone E/M services should not be reported when the time spent on the telephone is captured in other services reported, such as: 

• if CPT codes 99421-99423 have been reported by the same physician in the previous seven days for the same problem, 
• when CPT codes 99339-99340 and 99374-99380 are used for the same call, 
• during the same month with CPT codes 99487 and 99489, and 
• when performed during the same service period at CPT codes 99495-99496. 
• Self-funded plans can develop their own policies and may opt out of some cost-sharing waivers. Similarly, Medicaid policies are established at the state-level. The AAFP recommends reaching out to your provider relations representatives or Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to verify policies.  

Coding for Virtual-Digital Visits 

How do i code an e-visit (cpt 99421-99423) for an established patient .

CPT Codes: 99421-99423 

How do I code a virtual check-in (HCPCS codes G2012 and G2010) for an established patient? 

HCPCS Codes: G2012, G2252, G2010 

Virtual/Digital Scenario Notes 

• Patient consent is required and may be obtained either before or at the time of service. 
• Virtual check-ins and e-visits must technically be initiated by a patient; however, physicians and other providers may need to educate beneficiaries on the availability of the service prior to patient initiation. 
• There are no POS or modifier requirements for virtual check-ins or e-visits. Use the POS used for typical services. 

Virtual Check-in (HCPCS Code G2012, G2252) 

• These are brief conversations with a physician or other clinician to determine if an in-person visit is necessary. 
• The communication cannot be related to a medical visit within the previous seven days and cannot lead to medical visit within the next 24 hours (or soonest appointment available). 
• Physician or other clinician may respond to patient by telephone, audio/video, secure text messaging, email, or patient portal. 
• HCPCS code G2010 can be used when a captured video or image (store and forward) is sent to the physician. The physician must follow up with the patient within 24 business hours. The consultation must not originate from an evaluation and management (E/M) service provided within the previous seven days or lead to an E/M service within the next 24 hours (or soonest available appointment). 

E-Visits (online digital evaluation and management services) 

• These are non-face-to-face, patient-initiated communications with the physician through an online patient portal. The communications can occur over a seven-day period, and the exchange must be stored permanently. 
• Cumulative time includes review of the initial inquiry, review of patient records pertinent to the assessment of the patient’s problem, personal interaction with clinical staff focused on the patient’s problem, development of management plans (including generation of prescriptions or ordering of tests), and subsequent communication with the patient. Communication can occur through online, telephone, email, or other digitally supported communication 

Physicians and other clinicians who may independently bill Medicare for E/M services can use the following codes:

• 99421: Online digital evaluation and management service, for a patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5-10 minutes 
• 99422: Online digital evaluation and management service, for a patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 11-20 minutes 
• 99423: Online digital evaluation and management service, for a patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes 

E-visits should not be billed on the same day the physician reports an office visit E/M service (CPT codes 99202-99205 and 99211-99215) for the same patient. Additionally, e-visits should not be billed when using the following codes for the same communication: 

• 99339-99340 
• 99374-99380 
• 99487 and 99489 
• 99495-99466 

Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Family Physicians. All Rights Reserved.

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Fact Sheets MEDICARE TELEMEDICINE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FACT SHEET

Medicare coverage and payment of virtual services

INTRODUCTION:

Under President Trump’s leadership, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services so that beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. These policy changes build on the regulatory flexibilities granted under the President’s emergency declaration. CMS is expanding this benefit on a temporary and emergency basis under the 1135 waiver authority and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. The benefits are part of the broader effort by CMS and the White House Task Force to ensure that all Americans – particularly those at high-risk of complications from the virus that causes the disease COVID-19  – are aware of easy-to-use, accessible benefits that can help keep them healthy while helping to contain the community spread of this virus.   

Telehealth, telemedicine, and related terms generally refer to the exchange of medical information from one site to another through electronic communication to improve a patient’s health. Innovative uses of this kind of technology in the provision of healthcare is increasing.  And with the emergence of the virus causing the disease COVID-19, there is an urgency to expand the use of technology to help people who need routine care, and keep vulnerable beneficiaries and beneficiaries with mild symptoms in their homes while maintaining access to the care they need. Limiting community spread of the virus, as well as limiting the exposure to other patients and staff members will slow viral spread.

EXPANSION OF TELEHEALTH WITH 1135 WAIVER: Under this new waiver, Medicare can pay for office, hospital, and other visits furnished via telehealth across the country and including in patient’s places of residence starting March 6, 2020.  A range of providers, such as doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers, will be able to offer telehealth to their patients.  Additionally, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is providing flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal healthcare programs.

Prior to this waiver Medicare could only pay for telehealth on a limited basis:  when the person receiving the service is in a designated rural area and when they leave their home and go to a clinic, hospital, or certain other types of medical facilities for the service. 

Even before the availability of this waiver authority, CMS made several related changes to improve access to virtual care.  In 2019, Medicare started making payment for brief communications or Virtual Check-Ins , which are short patient-initiated communications with a healthcare practitioner. Medicare Part B separately pays clinicians for E-visits , which are non-face-to-face patient-initiated communications through an online patient portal.

Medicare beneficiaries will be able to receive a specific set of services through telehealth including evaluation and management visits (common office visits), mental health counseling and preventive health screenings. This will help ensure Medicare beneficiaries, who are at a higher risk for COVID-19, are able to visit with their doctor from their home, without having to go to a doctor’s office or hospital which puts themselves and others at risk.

TYPES OF VIRTUAL SERVICES:

There are three main types of virtual services physicians and other professionals can provide to Medicare beneficiaries summarized in this fact sheet:  Medicare telehealth visits, virtual check-ins and e-visits.

MEDICARE TELEHEALTH VISITS :  Currently, Medicare patients may use telecommunication technology for office, hospital visits and other services that generally occur in-person. 

• The provider must use an interactive audio and video telecommunications system that permits real-time communication between the distant site and the patient at home.  Distant site practitioners who can furnish and get payment for covered telehealth services (subject to state law) can include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, certified nurse anesthetists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, registered dietitians, and nutrition professionals. 
• It is imperative during this public health emergency that patients avoid travel, when possible, to physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, or other health care facilities where they could risk their own or others’ exposure to further illness.  Accordingly, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing a policy of enforcement discretion for Medicare telehealth services furnished pursuant to the waiver under section 1135(b)(8) of the Act.  To the extent the waiver (section 1135(g)(3)) requires that the patient have a prior established relationship with a particular practitioner, HHS will not conduct audits to ensure that such a prior relationship existed for claims submitted during this public health emergency.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Effective for services starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for Medicare telehealth services furnished to patients in broader circumstances.
• These visits are considered the same as in-person visits and are paid at the same rate as regular, in-person visits.
• Starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for professional services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings.
• While they must generally travel to or be located in certain types of originating sites such as a physician’s office, skilled nursing facility or hospital for the visit, effective for services starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for Medicare telehealth services furnished to beneficiaries in any healthcare facility and in their home.
• The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would generally apply to these services. However, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is providing flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal healthcare programs.
• To the extent the 1135 waiver requires an established relationship, HHS will not conduct audits to ensure that such a prior relationship existed for claims submitted during this public health emergency.

VIRTUAL CHECK-INS: In all areas (not just rural), established Medicare patients in their home may have a brief communication service with practitioners via a number of communication technology modalities including synchronous discussion over a telephone or exchange of information through video or image. We expect that these virtual services will be initiated by the patient; however, practitioners may need to educate beneficiaries on the availability of the service prior to patient initiation. 

Medicare pays for these “virtual check-ins” (or Brief communication technology-based service) for patients to communicate with their doctors and avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor’s office. These virtual check-ins are for patients with an established (or existing) relationship with a physician or certain practitioners where the communication is not related to a medical visit within the previous 7 days and does not lead to a medical visit within the next 24 hours (or soonest appointment available). The patient must verbally consent to receive virtual check-in services. The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would generally apply to these services.

Doctors and certain practitioners may bill for these virtual check in services furnished through several communication technology modalities, such as telephone (HCPCS code G2012). The practitioner may respond to the patient’s concern by telephone, audio/video, secure text messaging, email, or use of a patient portal.  Standard Part B cost sharing applies to both. In addition, separate from these virtual check-in services, captured video or images can be sent to a physician (HCPCS code G2010).

• Virtual check-in services can only be reported when the billing practice has an established relationship with the patient. 
• This is not limited to only rural settings or certain locations.
• Individual services need to be agreed to by the patient; however, practitioners may educate beneficiaries on the availability of the service prior to patient agreement. 
• HCPCS code G2012: Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a physician or other qualified health care professional who can report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5-10 minutes of medical discussion.
• HCPCS code G2010: Remote evaluation of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment.
• Virtual check-ins can be conducted with a broader range of communication methods, unlike Medicare telehealth visits, which require audio and visual capabilities for real-time communication.

E-VISITS:  In all types of locations including the patient’s home, and in all areas (not just rural), established Medicare patients may have non-face-to-face patient-initiated communications with their doctors without going to the doctor’s office by using online patient portals. These services can only be reported when the billing practice has an established relationship with the patient. For these E-Visits , the patient must generate the initial inquiry and communications can occur over a 7-day period. The services may be billed using CPT codes 99421-99423 and HCPCS codes G2061-G2063, as applicable. The patient must verbally consent to receive virtual check-in services. The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would apply to these services.

Medicare Part B also pays for E-visits or patient-initiated online evaluation and management conducted via a patient portal. Practitioners who may independently bill Medicare for evaluation and management visits (for instance, physicians and nurse practitioners) can bill the following codes:

• 99421: Online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5–10 minutes
• 99422: Online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days cumulative time during the 7 days; 11– 20 minutes
• 99423: Online digital evaluation and management service, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes.

Clinicians who may not independently bill for evaluation and management visits (for example – physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, clinical psychologists) can also provide these e-visits and bill the following codes:

• G2061: Qualified non-physician healthcare professional online assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5–10 minutes
•  G2062: Qualified non-physician healthcare professional online assessment and management service, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 11–20 minutes
• G2063: Qualified non-physician qualified healthcare professional assessment and management service, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes.
• These services can only be reported when the billing practice has an established relationship with the patient. 
• This is not limited to only rural settings. There are no geographic or location restrictions for these visits.
• Patients communicate with their doctors without going to the doctor’s office by using online patient portals.
• Individual services need to be initiated by the patient; however, practitioners may educate beneficiaries on the availability of the service prior to patient initiation. 
• The services may be billed using CPT codes 99421-99423 and HCPCS codes G2061-G206, as applicable.
• The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would generally apply to these services.

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA):   Effective immediately, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will exercise enforcement discretion and waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.  For more information: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/index.html

Summary of Medicare Telemedicine Services

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The 4-day panned virtual event was specially curated to present the “City of Moscow” as an attractive travel destination to the vibrant Indian outbound travel fraternity spread across 15 major cities PAN India.

Moscow tops the main category at World Travel Awards

Moscow wins in two categories of world travel awards europe, dear moskvichi: 10 stories about moscow told by its citizens.

The main component of each city is its residents. Moscow City Tourism Committee is launching Moskvichi, a special project that aims at showcasing the city through its residents' stories.  

Sergey Sobyanin proposed voting for Moscow at the World Travel Awards

Natalya Sergunina: City tours in honour of International Tourist Guide Day attracted over 3,500 visitors

Natalya sergunina: five moscow hotels were included in the annual forbes travel guide star award ranking.

For the first time, the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow, opened in 2014, was awarded the highest 5-star rating. In addition, the 4-star rating was awarded to Lotte Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, and Ararat Park Hyatt in Moscow. The “Recommended” rating was awarded to The St. Regis Nikolskaya Hotel in Moscow.

#valentines: romantic photography locations in Moscow

Over 15 Thousand People Visit Tourist Information Centre During Journey to Christmas Festival

Moscow restaurant listed in the russian book of records.

Birds, a restaurant with a panoramic view of Moscow, has set a record and become officially the highest restaurant and club in Europe. This fact has been registered in the Russian Book of Records. The restaurant is located in Moscow-City (MIBC).

Business meetings, VR travels, and the iconic Moscow ice cream: FITUR tourism trade fair recap

More than 500 people have applied to participate in the Moscow Travel Hack

Moscow to take part in major international tourism trade fair in madrid.

FITUR Madrid 2020 will be the first international event this year where Moscow will present its tourism potential. It will be held from 22 to 26 January.

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Virtual information session for graduate offer holders

Online information session, United Kingdom

Nathan Brennan

Student recruitment officer (international).

Graduate Admissions Office

Join our webinar for graduate offer holders to get information about what to expect when you arrive at LSE.

Get updates from Graduate Admissions, and an overview of the next steps you need to take in order to confirm your place at the School. The webinar will consist of a brief presentation followed by a live Q&A, where you will have the opportunity to ask us any questions you may have regarding your next steps.

The event will take place online via Zoom . To attend the session, you will need to register in advance by clicking on ‘How can I attend?’. After registering you will receive a confirmation email which will include a Zoom webinar link. You will be able to access the event on the day via this link.

The session is relevant for applicants who have received offers to study at LSE for Master’s and PhD programmes only.  Please note that  it will not be possible to comment on individual applications during this event.  In order to discuss your offer, you should contact Graduate Admissions through the options listed  here . 

The event will be recorded and made available to all graduate offer holders in the days following. If you cannot attend the webinar on this date, we will be scheduling additional dates later in the year.

Please note that all event times are in UK local time.

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Events for Offer Holders Destination LSE