What is the difference between Place of Service (POS) 02 and POS 10 for telehealth?
Place of Service (POS) 10 is used for telehealth services provided when the patient is located in their private home or residence, and is reimbursed by Medicare and many commercial plans at the higher non-facility rate. Place of Service (POS) 02 is used when the patient is located in a healthcare facility or location other than their home, and is reimbursed at the lower facility rate.
1. The 2025 Telehealth Landscape: Beyond Emergency Waivers
What began as temporary public health emergency rules has shifted into permanent and extended statutory frameworks.
Clinicians must understand current rules surrounding originating site requirements, geographic restrictions, and qualified provider types.
2. Master Telehealth Coding Matrix
Modifiers, Places of Service, and Time Requirements
Follow this quick reference matrix for clean telehealth submissions:
- POS 10: Patient located in home. Reimbursed at non-facility practice expense rate for Medicare.
- POS 02: Patient located in clinical facility other than home (e.g., nursing facility, clinic).
- Modifier 95: Synchronous real-time audio/video encounter appended to standard E/M codes (99202-99215).
- Modifier 93: Synchronous audio-only telephone medical service.
- Add-on G2211: May be appended to outpatient E/M visits when serving as the continuing focal point for comprehensive care, including virtual encounters.
3. Commercial Payer Parity Nuances
While Medicare provides clear national guidance, commercial health plans (such as Horizon BCBS in New Jersey, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare) have independent payment policies. Some reimburse virtual visits at 100% of in-person parity, while others discount non-primary care virtual visits by 15% to 20% unless specific contractual riders exist.