98013 Synch audio-only established low 20
Also known as: phone follow-up, telephone visit, audio telehealth
Synchronous (real-time) audio-only interactive telehealth service between physician/qualified healthcare provider and established patient for low complexity care, up to 20 minutes.
In Plain Language
20-minute phone call with doctor; routine telephone visit
Clinical Context
Used for real-time telephone consultations with established patients for routine follow-ups.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.20 |
| Total RVU | 1.20 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
Medicine section codes cover a wide range of non-surgical services. Documentation should include the clinical indication, procedure details, interpretation (if applicable), and any patient-specific findings.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.20, this code ranks in the 62nd percentile among Medicine codes — 1.5x the median (0.78). The highest wRVU in this category is 23.92.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 98013?
CPT 98013 (Synch audio-only established low 20) is a Medicine code. Synchronous (real-time) audio-only interactive telehealth service between physician/qualified healthcare provider and established patient for low complexity care, up to 20 minutes.
Who uses CPT code 98013?
CPT 98013 is used by Telemedicine, Primary Care, Mental Health. Used for real-time telephone consultations with established patients for routine follow-ups.
When is CPT 98013 used?
Used for real-time telephone consultations with established patients for routine follow-ups.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.