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98012Telehealth

Established patient phone visit (audio only), straightforward, 15 minutes

Prior authorization
Plan dependent

What this is, in plain language

A telephone-only follow-up with a clinician you have seen before, about 15 minutes of total provider time or straightforward decision-making.

Why a clinician orders it

Quick follow-ups, medication checks, or a single simple problem when video is not available.

Medical necessity — what insurers usually look at

Plan dependent; many plans do not cover audio-only visits. Confirm coverage before the visit.

New to this? Read what medical necessity means and how to appeal a denial.

Documentation to ask about

  • ✓That the visit was audio only, and why video was not used
  • ✓Your location at the time of the visit
  • ✓Reason for the visit and total time or decision-making elements

Questions for your provider

  • ?Does my plan pay for phone-only follow-ups?
  • ?What will I be charged if it does not?

Why this code is in our seed set

Part of the new CPT 98000–98015 telehealth E/M family introduced for 2025.

Validated against

  • •AMA CPT 2025 E/M telehealth code set (98000–98015)
  • •CMS telehealth services list

Terms you'll see

Medical NecessityRead more →

The insurer is reviewing whether the service is clinically appropriate for your situation.

Important: AuraCode is an educational tool. It does not provide medical, legal, or insurance advice, claims decisions, or approval guarantees. Final coverage depends on your specific plan, eligibility, diagnosis, submitted documentation, and your insurer's review.