Audio-only telemedicine is the delivery of health care services through the use of audio-only technology, permitting real-time communication between a patient at their physical location, the "originating site", and a health care provider at a different physical location, the "distant site", for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. 

Audio-only telemedicine does not include the use of facsimile or electronic mail, or the delivery of health care services that are customarily delivered by audio-only technology and customarily not billed as separate services by the provider, such as sharing laboratory results.

In addition to professional fees for provider services, certain originating sites for audio-only telemedicine may charge a separate facility fee for infrastructure costs and preparation of the patient, subject to certain conditions.  Distant sites and hospitals acting as originating sites may not charge the following payors a facility fee for the use of audio-only telemedicine:

• a health plan offered by a health carrier;
• a health plan offered to school or state employees;
• a Medicaid managed care plan; or
• a behavioral health administrative services organization.

A hospital that is an originating site or a distant site for audio-only telemedicine may not charge a facility fee, regardless of payor.