Will professionals be reimbursed for time spent counseling patients on the importance of isolation and contact tracing during the COVID-19 testing process?

Yes. Within their updated MLN Matters Article SE20011, CMS strongly encourages providers to counsel patients on the importance of self-isolation and participation with regards to contact tracing efforts for those patients who are either awaiting COVID-19 laboratory test results or for those who have already tested positive. Per CMS, existing E&M CPT and HCPCS codes should be utilized when billing for these counseling services. Within a separate Provider Q&A, CMS clarifies that isolation and contact tracing patient counseling should not be charged separately from other E&M time/services provided on the same date of service.

CMS MLN Matters Article SE20011:
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/SE20011.pdf

CMS Provider Counseling Q&A:
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-provider-counseling-qa.pdf