99441 cpt code involves a telephonic conversation between the provider and patient, guardians or the parents that remains for 5-10 minutes. This non face-to-face E/M service involves discussing the treatment plans, managing chronic conditions and the outcomes.
This telehealth service allows patients easy access to the best medical care while reducing unnecessary visits to the healthcare facility.
What is 99441 CPT Code
Telehealth codes are also known as the Current Procedural Technology codes assigned against remote delivery of the healthcare services. These were introduced by AMA among the other commercial payers to improve patient access to healthcare and avoid the physical visit to the hospital.
CPT Code 99441 reports online evaluation and management services offered by a physician or qualified healthcare professionals. This code is assigned in outpatient settings to provide quick and convenient healthcare.
99441 CPT code is assigned against
- Discussion on prescribed tests
- Outcomes of the treatment plans
- Diagnosing new symptoms and addressing them
- Making necessary dosage adjustments.
Assigning accurate code is necessary to avoid the unwanted claim denials and losing practice revenue.
How Telehealth Codes Changed in 2026
In 2026, 3 major developments changed the telehealth codes.
- As a result, a new American Medical Association (AMA) family was introduced to streamline the digital E/M services.
- Centers of Medicare and Medicaid decided to stop reimbursing the payments against many of the new codes.
- A new congressional extension that solved long-standing uncertainties around the telehealth flexibilities.
In the end of 2025, CMS established the Telephone evm billing policies as per the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, that went on being effective in January 2026. Consequently, providers felt more relieved as compared to the previous years.
However, the settlement led to introduction of a dual-track coding system; one rule for medicare and other for the commercial payers.
| Medicare fee-for-service | Commercial and some state Medicaid | |
| Telehealth E/M codes | 99202–99215 with POS and modifier | 98000–98016 accepted by some payers |
| 98000–98015 | Status indicator “I,” will deny | Varies by contract, often at lower rates |
| 98016 | Reimbursed, replaces G2012 | Varies by contract |
What Replaced 99441?
The 2025 CPT code set introduced new telehealth E/M codes.
For synchronous audio-only E/M services, the new family includes:
- 98008–98011: New patient audio-only E/M
- 98012–98015: Established patient audio-only E/M
- 98016: Brief communication technology-based service
The AMA explains that the new codes were designed around modern telehealth technology. They can account for services provided through audio-only or audio-video technology.
Therefore, the correct replacement depends on the actual service. A provider should not automatically substitute one code for every historical telephone encounter.
99441 vs 99442
99441 vs 99442 mainly differed by the length of the medical discussion.
Historically, 99441 covered 5–10 minutes. 99442 covered 11–20 minutes.
Both codes were telephone E/M services for established patients. Both were deleted effective January 1, 2025.
| Feature | 99441 | 99442 |
| Historical use | Telephone E/M | Telephone E/M |
| Patient | Established | Established |
| Time | 5–10 minutes | 11–20 minutes |
| Current in 2026? | No | No |
| CPT status | Deleted | Deleted |
For current claims, billers should use the applicable 2026 telehealth rules instead of selecting between these deleted codes.
Telephone EVM Billing: What Changed?
Telephone EVM billing changed significantly with the 2025 CPT update. Before 2025, telephone-only E/M services used codes such as 99441–99443. The CPT code set then removed those codes and introduced a broader telehealth structure.
The correct code now depends on factors such as:
- Whether the patient is new or established.
- Whether the service is audio-only or audio-video.
- The length or complexity of the service.
- Whether the payer covers the selected code.
- Documentation supporting the service.
- Applicable Medicare telehealth requirements.
This makes accurate documentation important for current claims.
For Medicare, CMS publishes its current list of telehealth services. That list should be checked separately from the CPT code description.
Telephone Visit CPT Codes
The term telephone visit CPT codes can refer to different types of remote services.
Historically, 99441–99443 were used for telephone-only E/M services. However, these codes are no longer active CPT codes.
Current telehealth coding can involve different code families. For example, CPT 98008–98015 address synchronous audio-only E/M services. CPT 98016 addresses a brief communication technology-based service.
Providers should therefore avoid choosing a code based only on the fact that a service happened by phone. The clinical service and payer requirements must also support the selected code.
99441 Reimbursement Rate: Is There a 2026 Rate?
There is no current 2026 Medicare reimbursement rate for 99441 as an active CPT code because the code was deleted effective January 1, 2025.
Therefore, a website should not publish an old 99441 reimbursement rate as the current 2026 Medicare rate.
This distinction is important for medical billing companies. Historical reimbursement information may still help explain older claims. However, it should be clearly labeled as historical.
CMS publishes current Medicare telehealth information and payment-related resources for 2026. For a current claim, reimbursement depends on the code that is actually reportable, the payer, geographic factors, and applicable payment policies.
Can Providers Still Use 99441 for Old Claims?
Possibly, depending on the date of service and payer rules.
The deletion took effect January 1, 2025. Therefore, a historical claim with a date of service before the deletion may need to be evaluated under the rules that applied at that time.
Billers should review:
- Date of service
- Payer requirements
- Original claim information
- Documentation
- Correct historical CPT rules
- Any applicable correction or appeal deadlines
Do not automatically replace an old claim with a current telehealth code without checking the date of service.
Common Billing Mistakes With 99441
Several mistakes can create confusion when reviewing old telephone claims.
Using a deleted code for a 2026 service
The biggest issue is treating 99441 as an active 2026 CPT code. It was deleted beginning January 1, 2025.
Using the old reimbursement amount
A historical rate should not be presented as a current Medicare reimbursement amount.
Choosing a code only because the visit was by phone
Phone communication does not automatically determine the correct current CPT code.
Ignoring payer differences
Medicare and commercial payers may have different coverage and billing requirements.
Missing documentation
The medical record should support the service reported on the claim. Documentation requirements should be reviewed with the applicable payer and coding guidance.
99441 CPT Code vs Current Telehealth Coding
The main difference is simple.
99441 CPT code belonged to the older telephone-only E/M structure. The current CPT structure uses newer telehealth codes based on the type of technology and patient relationship.
The AMA states that the new telehealth codes can report E/M services delivered through audio-video and audio-only technology.
For providers, this means the coding process should start with the actual encounter. The biller can then determine which current code and payer rules apply.
Final Thoughts
The key point about 99441 CPT code is its status. It was an important telephone E/M code for established patients. However, CPT deleted it effective January 1, 2025.
Providers and billers should avoid using the deleted code for current services. Instead, they should identify the actual telehealth service and apply the appropriate current code. Payer requirements also matter. Medicare providers should verify the current CMS telehealth list before billing.
For historical claims, the date of service remains especially important. This helps separate older billing rules from current 2026 requirements. At Mediremote, we offer expert medical billing and coding services to help organizations achieve profitability without compromising on patient care.
FAQs About 99441 CPT Code
What was 99441 used for?
99441 was historically used for a 5–10 minute telephone E/M service for an established patient.
Is 99441 still billable in 2026?
No. The CPT code was deleted effective January 1, 2025. Current telehealth services require applicable current codes.
What replaced 99441?
The replacement depends on the service. Current audio-only E/M codes include 98008–98015, while 98016 covers a brief communication service.
What is the difference between 99441 and 99442?
Historically, 99441 covered 5–10 minutes. 99442 covered 11–20 minutes. Both codes are now deleted.
Is there a 2026 99441 reimbursement rate?
No current Medicare rate applies to 99441 because it is no longer an active CPT code.
Can old 99441 claims still be reviewed?
Yes. Claims with older dates of service may need review under the rules that applied when the