Telehealth and COVID-19 Resources
Telehealth is the use of electronic communication to remotely provide health care information and services. Due to the recent COVID-19 impact on our communities and professions, telehealth is at the center of attention in the physical therapy industry. Providers want to continue providing care while taking appropriate health safety measures and patients are seeking continued and effective care. Telehealth can be effective and cost-efficient, however PTs and PTAs need to consider federal and state legislation and regulations that govern their practice, risk management implications, billing and coding issues, and hardware/software requirements. Regardless of the payer or policy, PTs and PTAs must ensure that when providing telehealth services or billing for them, they are practicing legally and ethically, and are adhering to state and federal practice guidelines and payer contract agreements. Each state has its own guidelines that PTs/PTAs should follow.
Source: American Physical Therapy Association
Returning to Work?
As state and federal guidelines are updated in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy has received requests from members for guidance in re-opening their practices.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- IRS Announces that the CARES Act Provider Relief Funds are Considered Taxable Income
- Residency and Fellowship Education: Moving through the CoVid-19 Pandemic Resource
- Check on the Status of State Emergency Mandates and Payers Allowing Telehealth – As things rapidly develop regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, mandates and payer policies around telehealth are continuously evolving. APTA has developed a series of summaries of the status of federal, state, and commercial payers regarding eligibility of PTs to provide telehealth services and payer coverage of some form of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on information the states and payers have released. APTA will update these resources weekly with new information that has been confirmed. These are summaries only; refer to the payer policies and state laws for the most accurate and current information.
- New TRICARE Rule Allows for Telephone-Delivered Services, Drops Copays
- CMS: Potential Flexibility for Hospital Outpatient Department PTs and PTAs in Care Delivery; PTAs can Furnish Telehealth in Private Practices
- 4.10 HHS Deposits Money Into Some Providers’ Bank Accounts A $30 billion emergency relief package began rolling out on April 10, making direct deposits into provider and facility accounts based on 2019 Medicare billing. Many health care providers — including PTs — caring for patients with possible or verified COVID-19 received a welcome surprise when they checked their bank accounts on April 10…
- 4.7 Medicare Update – APTA, along with AOTA and ASHA, met with CMS staff yesterday about our request that CMS use its new authority to add therapists as telehealth providers under Medicare during the public health emergency. APTA is continuing to dialogue with the agency regarding this request.
As of today, April 7, PTs can furnish under Medicare the following services (referred to as communication technology-based services by CMS):– Remote evaluation of recorded video/images (G2010)– Virtual check-in (G2012)– E-visits (G2061-G2063)– Telephone assessment and management services (98966-98968)APTA’s webpage will be updated later today to reflect the latest information/resources on these new codes now eligible to be furnished and billed by PTs under Medicare: https://www.apta.org/telehealth/
- 4.3 The Small Business Administration has opened its Paycheck Protection Program on Friday, April 3, to assist with small business relief. SBA expects many small businesses to apply, so eligible small businesses should reach out to their banks and begin preparing their applications ASAP to attempt to avoid long waits and processing periods as applications start to pile up. Learn more and apply today here. Also read these FAQs.
- 3.30 Physical Therapist Management of Patients With Diagnosed or Suspected COVID-19
- 3.30 Pediatric and School-Based Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 3.28 Physical Therapy Support During COVID-19 Pandemic – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, APTA is working with other organizations and members to connect volunteers with facilities that need physical therapy services.
- 3.27 A Medicare payment increase, PT telehealth for UnitedHealthcare, APTA tracks telehealth payment changes, and more
- Charts from APTA Track Payer, Government PT Telehealth Policies
- 3.30 APTA Hosts Facebook Live Event, “Implementing Telehealth in Your Practice STAT” *NEW*
- Federal payer telehealth or e-visit coverage
- Commercial payer telehealth or e-visit coverage
- State-mandated executive orders related to telehealth
- State emergency orders permitting PTs to provide telehealth services
- Occupational medicine provider telehealth or e-visit coverage
- What is Telehealth?
- 3.26 New Practice Guidelines for Physical Therapy and COVID-19 in Acute Hospital Setting
- 3.26 Cigna Adopts Telehealth Policy for Physical Therapy
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for the Physical Therapy Profession
- APTA Statement on Patient Care and Practice Management During COVID-19 Outbreak
- APTA Quick Reference to Using E-Visits for Physical Therapist Services
- Telehealth in Physical Therapy in Light of COVID-19
- Joins Push for PPE, More Consistent Recommendations for Use
- New Coalition Connects Health Care Organizations With PPE Suppliers
- APTA Offers Template Letter to CMS Advocating for Telehealth for PTs, PTAs
- Multiprofessional Group Including APTA Says Wound Care Is an Essential Activity
CCHP Website
As federal guidelines continue to evolve in support of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cigna is adopting a position consistent with the federal public health emergency period, which ends on July 24, 2020. As such, Cigna is extending the customer cost-share waivers and other enhanced benefits, including our interim virtual care policy, through at least July 31, 2020.
Q: Will Cigna allow for physical therapists to provide virtual care?
Yes. PT providers can now deliver virtual care for any service that is on their current fee schedule. We have removed the previous guidance that CMS also had to cover the service virtually. PT/OT/ST providers should continue to submit virtual claims with a GQ, GT, or 95 modifier and a face-to-face place of service code (e.g., POS 11).
Additionally, if a provider typically bills services on a UB-04 claim form, they can also provide those services virtually. In these cases, the provider should bill as normal on a UB-04 claim form with the appropriate revenue code and procedure code, and also append the GQ, GT, or 95 modifier.
Important notes
- While we encourage PT providers to follow CMS guidance regarding the use of software programs for virtual care, we are not requiring the use of any specific software program at this time.
- We maintain all current medical necessity review criteria for virtual care at this time.
- Our national ancillary partner American Specialty Health (ASH) is applying the same virtual care guidance, so any provider participating through ASH and providing PT/OT services to Cigna customers is covered by the same guidance.
Webinars
- 6.1 PPS Webinar: Managing your Practice through the Pandemic – Lessons Learned and Leading into the New Normal (June 1, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m)
- 5.23 COVID-19 Expert Panel: You’ve Got Clinical Questions, Let’s See if We Have Answers
- 5.23 COVID-19: Implications for Physical and Occupational Therapy in the Acute Care Setting – Putting Evidence into Clinical Practice
- 4.11 Saturday | COVID-19: How Can We Add the Greatest Value? Part 2 at 11am EST
- 4.9 Thursday | White House*: Representatives from The Trump administration communicating changes that have been approved, what changes are being considered and addressing questions from the audience. *Speakers haven’t been confirmed yet.
- 4.7 Tuesday | NIH — National Institutes of Health addressing changes and concerns of administering grants during the pandemic changes.
- 4.4 Saturday | COVID-19: Minimizing the Impact of Social Distancing for the Older Adult
- 4.3 Friday | SETRC — Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center is one of 12 Federally funded Telehealth promotion centers. Experts on telehealth policy and laws state-by-state.
Center for Connected Health Policy / The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
- COVID-19 State Actions – updated regularly
- List of State Licensure Waivers/Actions
Resources
Private Practice Section (PPS)
- 3.27 CARES Act, Payroll Protection Program and Expanded Unemployment Provisions – The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27th, provides funding to small business owners and to employees as ways to support them and the economy during this public health crisis.
- Critical Resources for Managing your Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic *NEW*
- Tips and Tricks to Start Telehealth Tomorrow (3/24/20)
- Watch Webinar – Cash Flow Modeling to Help You Plan
- Download Worksheet – Cash Flow Modeling
Department of Labor
- 3.26 US Department of Labor Issues Three New Wage and Hour Opinion Letters
- 3.24 US Department of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- 3.20 Announced Plan to Implement Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Small and Midsize Businesses to Swiftly Recover the Cost of Providing Coronavirus-Related Leave
- 3.18 US Dept of Labor Announces Availability of Up to $100 Million in National Health Emergency Disclocated Worker Grants in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers
- How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Temporary OSHA Guidance on Respiratory Protection Standard
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Covid-19 Resources
- Employee Rights, Wages, Hours and Leave
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- NEW: Potential Flexibility for Hospital Outpatient Department PTs and PTAs in Care Delivery; PTAs can Furnish Telehealth in Private Practices
- www.cms.gov
- CMS Approves Medicaid Waivers in 11 States (March 22)
- CMS – (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions
- CSM – CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians, Providers, Hospitals and Facilities Participating in Quality Reporting Programs in Response to COVID-19
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- www.cdc.gov
- CDC Study on Cruise Ship COVID Transmissions Finds Virus Present on Surfaces 17 Days After Last Contact
- COVID-19 / Coronavirus Information from the CDC
In the Media
American Physical Therapy Association | State Chapters
Regardless of the payer or policy, PTs and PTAs must ensure that when providing telehealth services or billing for them, they are practicing legally and ethically, and are adhering to state and federal practice guidelines and payer contract agreements. Each state has its own guidelines that PTs/PTAs should follow. Below are links to respective APTA State Chapters where you can find additional information and resources pertaining to your specific state.
