April 15, 2020
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly supports the continued provision of health care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic unless community circumstances related to the pandemic require necessary adjustments to health supervision visits or acute and chronic care visits by general pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric surgeons.
See below for additional guidance.
- All payers should pay for telehealth visits at parity with in-person visits. Full payment for recommended codes should occur at the time of the initial visit (with the appropriate modifier) and should be eligible for full payment if billed by the pediatrician no matter the age of the child. Whether the visit is for well child, acute, or chronic care, all visits should be eligible for payment.
- Well-child care should occur in person whenever possible.
- Well-child care should be provided consistent with the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4th Edition) and the corresponding Bright Futures/AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule).
- Well-child care should occur within the child’s medical home where continuity of care may be established and maintained.
- Well-child care should be provided consistent with the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (4th Edition) and the corresponding Bright Futures/AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule).
- Where community circumstances require pediatricians to limit in-person well visits:
- Clinicians are encouraged to prioritize in-person newborn care, and well visits and immunization of infants and young children (through 24 months of age) whenever possible.
- Well visits for children may be conducted through telehealth, recognizing that some elements of the well exam should be completed in clinic once community circumstances allow. These elements include, at a minimum: the comprehensive physical exam; office testing, including laboratory testing; hearing, vision, and oral health screening; fluoride varnish; and immunizations.
- Clinicians are encouraged to prioritize in-person newborn care, and well visits and immunization of infants and young children (through 24 months of age) whenever possible.
- Where community circumstances require pediatricians to limit in-person visits, acute or chronic care should continue via telehealth. Some elements of the acute or chronic care visit may need to be completed in clinic as indicated and when circumstances permit. Care by general pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric surgeons should not be unnecessarily delayed and appropriate referrals should continue to be made for subspecialty and surgical care and other services.
Additional Information
Last Updated
04/15/2020
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics