Modifier GT is a HCPCS Level II modifier that indicates a healthcare service was furnished using interactive, real-time audio and video telecommunications technology.

Historically, Modifier GT was the primary Medicare telehealth modifier. However, CMS changed its telehealth billing policy beginning January 1, 2018, eliminating the routine requirement to report Modifier GT on most professional Medicare telehealth claims. Instead, Medicare generally identifies telehealth services using the appropriate Place of Service (POS) code (currently POS 02 or POS 10, depending on the patient’s location).

Today, Modifier GT remains important because:

Some Medicare institutional claims still require it.
Many commercial insurance companies continue to recognize or require it.
Numerous Medicaid and Workers’ Compensation programs continue to use Modifier GT.
Certain payer contracts specifically instruct providers to report GT.

Modifier

Modifier Name

Via Interactive Audio and Video Telecommunications System

Plain English Explanation

Modifier GT tells the payer:

“This service was performed through live, two-way audio and video communication instead of a face-to-face office visit.”

Both the provider and patient communicate simultaneously using secure telecommunications technology.

Purpose of Modifier GT

Modifier GT is used to:

Identify telehealth services performed through live audio-video communication.
Distinguish telemedicine from in-person services.
Support payer-specific telehealth reimbursement.
Identify eligible services billed remotely.
Comply with payer-specific telehealth billing policies.

Understanding Modifier GT

Modifier GT represents synchronous telemedicine.

“Synchronous” means:

Live communication.
Interactive audio.
Interactive video.
Patient and provider communicate simultaneously.

It does not represent:

Recorded video
Email consultations
Store-and-forward technology
Remote patient monitoring
Most audio-only services

When to Use Modifier GT

Append Modifier GT when:

The payer specifically requires GT.
The service is performed using real-time audio-video technology.
The payer’s telehealth policy instructs providers to report GT.
Billing certain Medicare Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Method II institutional telehealth claims where CMS still requires GT.

Common CPT codes include:

CPT Code	Description
99202–99205	New patient office visits (telehealth when payer permits)
99211–99215	Established patient office visits
90832–90838	Psychotherapy
96156	Health behavior assessment
G0425–G0427	Telehealth consultations

When NOT to Use Modifier GT

Do not use Modifier GT when:

Medicare professional claims instruct use of POS codes instead of GT.
The payer requires Modifier 95 instead.
The encounter is in person.
The encounter is audio-only unless specifically instructed by the payer.
The service is not eligible for telehealth.

Medicare Rules

Current Medicare policy includes the following:

Since January 1, 2018, CMS no longer requires Modifier GT on most professional Medicare telehealth claims.
Medicare generally identifies telehealth services using POS 02 or POS 10, depending on where the patient receives the service.
Modifier GT is still required in limited Medicare situations, including Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Method II institutional claims.
Providers should always follow the current Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and CMS billing instructions because telehealth requirements continue to evolve.

Commercial Insurance Rules

Commercial payer policies vary significantly.

Some commercial insurers:

Require Modifier GT.
Prefer Modifier 95.
Accept either GT or 95.
Require only POS 02 or POS 10.
Publish payer-specific telehealth billing policies.

Examples may include certain regional Blue Cross plans, Workers’ Compensation carriers, Medicaid programs, or employer-sponsored health plans.

Always verify payer requirements before claim submission.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation should include:

Patient consent for telehealth when required.
Patient location.
Provider location.
Technology used.
Confirmation that communication was interactive audio and video.
Medical necessity.
History, examination, and medical decision making (or total time, when appropriate).
Date and time of service.
Provider signature and credentials.

Real Billing Examples

Example 1 – Commercial Insurance Telehealth Visit

A physician conducts a live video follow-up visit with an established patient. The commercial payer requires Modifier GT.

Billing

CPT 99214
Modifier GT
Appropriate telehealth POS, if required by the payer

Example 2 – Behavioral Health

A psychologist performs psychotherapy using live video. The payer requires GT.

Billing

CPT 90837
Modifier GT

Example 3 – Medicaid Telehealth

A state Medicaid program instructs providers to append Modifier GT for telehealth office visits.

Billing

CPT 99213
Modifier GT

Example 4 – Critical Access Hospital Method II

A Critical Access Hospital bills an eligible institutional telehealth service under Method II.

Billing

Appropriate HCPCS/CPT code
Modifier GT

This remains one of the limited Medicare situations where GT is still required.

Example 5 – Incorrect Use

A physician submits a standard Medicare professional telehealth claim:

CPT 99214
Modifier GT

Although the service itself is covered, Medicare generally expects the appropriate telehealth POS rather than Modifier GT for most professional claims.

CMS-1500 Claim Example

Field	Example
CPT	99214
Modifier	GT
POS	02 (payer-specific example)
Diagnosis Pointer	I10
Units	1

Common Denial Reasons

Wrong telehealth modifier.
Payer requires Modifier 95 instead of GT.
Medicare professional claim incorrectly billed with GT.
Incorrect Place of Service.
Telehealth service not covered.
Missing telehealth documentation.
Authorization requirements not met.

How to Correct the Denial

Verify payer telehealth billing guidelines.
Determine whether GT or 95 is required.
Review POS requirements.
Correct the modifier if necessary.
Submit a corrected claim.
Appeal with supporting documentation when appropriate.

Coding Tips

Do not assume every payer accepts GT.
Verify whether the payer requires GT, 95, POS reporting, or dedicated telehealth CPT codes.
Medicare professional claims generally use POS reporting instead of GT.
Maintain complete telehealth documentation.
Review payer updates annually because telehealth policies change frequently.

Modifier GT vs Modifier 95

Modifier	Description
GT	Via interactive audio and video telecommunications system; still used by some payers and limited Medicare circumstances
95	Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system; widely used by commercial payers and certain Medicare billing scenarios

Modifier GT vs Modifier 93

Modifier	Description
GT	Audio and video telehealth
93	Audio-only telehealth

Modifier GT vs POS 02

Code	Purpose
GT	Telehealth modifier (payer-specific)
POS 02	Patient received telehealth somewhere other than home

Modifier GT vs POS 10

Code	Purpose
GT	Telehealth modifier
POS 10	Patient received telehealth while at home

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What does Modifier GT mean?

Answer: It indicates that the service was furnished through interactive real-time audio and video telecommunications technology.

Q2. Does Medicare still require Modifier GT?

Answer: Generally, no. Since January 1, 2018, Medicare has eliminated the routine use of GT for most professional telehealth claims and instead relies on telehealth POS codes. GT remains required in limited situations, such as certain Critical Access Hospital Method II claims.

Q3. What is the difference between GT and 95?

Answer: Both identify live audio-video telehealth services. Modifier 95 is more commonly used today, while GT is primarily payer-specific or required in limited Medicare circumstances.

Q4. Can commercial insurance require Modifier GT?

Answer: Yes. Many commercial insurers, Medicaid programs, and Workers’ Compensation carriers still require GT based on their individual billing policies.

Q5. Can GT be used for audio-only services?

Answer: No. Modifier GT identifies interactive audio and video telecommunication services, not audio-only encounters.

AR Caller Tips

When following up on GT modifier claims:

Verify whether the payer requires GT or 95.
Confirm the telehealth POS requirements.
Review payer-specific telehealth policies.
Check authorization requirements.
Document payer reference numbers and representative names.
If denied, determine whether the modifier, POS, or coverage policy caused the rejection.

Interview Questions

Question 1

What does Modifier GT represent?

Answer: Services furnished via live interactive audio and video telecommunications.

Question 2

Does Medicare routinely require GT today?

Answer: No. Medicare generally uses POS 02 or POS 10 for professional telehealth claims. GT remains applicable only in limited situations.

Question 3

Which modifier is more commonly used today for commercial telehealth claims?

Answer: Modifier 95, although some payers continue to require GT.

Question 4

Can GT be used for telephone-only services?

Answer: No. GT is intended for interactive audio and video telehealth.

Practice Scenario

Scenario

A physician performs a live video follow-up visit for a patient insured by a commercial payer whose telehealth policy requires Modifier GT.

Question

How should the claim be billed?

Answer

Report:

CPT 99214
Modifier GT
Appropriate telehealth POS if required by the payer

Always follow the payer’s telehealth billing instructions.

Related Telehealth Modifiers

95 – Synchronous Telemedicine Service Rendered via Real-Time Interactive Audio and Video Telecommunications System
93 – Synchronous Telemedicine Service Rendered via Audio-Only Telecommunications System
GQ – Via Asynchronous Telecommunications System
FQ – Audio-only Communication Technology
FR – Supervising Practitioner Present Through Real-Time Audio and Video Technology

Common Billing Mistakes

Using GT on routine Medicare professional claims.
Using GT when the payer requires Modifier 95.
Billing audio-only services with GT.
Reporting the wrong POS.
Failing to verify payer telehealth policies.
Omitting telehealth documentation.

Key Takeaways

Modifier GT identifies services performed using live interactive audio and video telecommunications technology.
Medicare generally does not require GT for most professional telehealth claims, relying instead on POS 02 or POS 10.
GT remains applicable in limited Medicare circumstances, such as certain Critical Access Hospital Method II claims.
Many commercial insurers, Medicaid programs, and Workers’ Compensation carriers continue to require GT.
Always verify payer-specific telehealth billing policies before submitting claims.

References

CMS Medicare Claims Processing Manual – Change Request 10152: Elimination of the GT Modifier for Telehealth Services.
CMS Telehealth Overview.
CMS Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04.
HCPCS Level II Code Book.
CPT® Professional Edition (American Medical Association).

Conclusion

Modifier GT remains an important telehealth modifier despite significant changes in Medicare policy. While CMS generally replaced GT with telehealth Place of Service reporting for most professional claims beginning in 2018, many commercial insurers and certain institutional Medicare claims continue to rely on it. Successful billing requires understanding payer-specific requirements, selecting the correct modifier and POS code, maintaining thorough documentation, and staying current with annual telehealth policy updates.

Educational Disclaimer

This article was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) for educational and informational purposes. It is based on publicly available CMS guidance, Medicare telehealth policies, HCPCS Level II guidance, and general medical coding principles. It is not an official publication of CMS or the American Medical Association (AMA). Always consult the latest CMS Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, HCPCS Level II Code Book, CPT® Professional Edition, and payer-specific telehealth billing policies before coding, billing, or submitting claims.