Definitions

Interactive telecommunications system means, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (a)(3), multimedia communications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and distant site physician or practitioner. Interactive telecommunications system may also include two-way, real-time audio-only communication technology for any telehealth service furnished to a patient in their home if the distant site physician or practitioner is technically capable of using an interactive telecommunications system as defined in the previous sentence, but the patient is not capable of, or does not consent to, the use of video technology.

SOURCE: 42 CFR Sec. 410.78 & Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule, Final Rule, CMS 1807-F and 4201-F5, (Accessed Mar. 2025)

Telehealth is the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide access to health assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision and information across distance. At one time, telehealth in Medicaid had been referred to as telemedicine.

Telehealth seeks to improve a patient’s health by permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and the physician or practitioner at the distant site. This  communication often requires  the use of interactive telecommunications equipment that can include both audio and video components, but can also be conducted via audio-only, as states deem appropriate.

Telehealth includes such technologies as telephones, electronic mail systems, and remote patient monitoring devices, which are used to collect and transmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation.

SOURCE: Medicaid.gov.  Telehealth (Accessed Mar. 2025).