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05/15/20

UnitedHealthcare Telehealth Updates

On May 4, 2020, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) updated information on its website concerning physical, occupational and speech therapy telehealth. Highlights of UnitedHealthcare’s coverage of physical, occupational and speech therapy services delivered via telehealth include the following: In addition, check out my FAQs on UHC and telehealth that was published on April 23, 2020. I hope you found this information helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

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05/15/20

Aetna Updates CPT Codes That Can Be Delivered via Telehealth

On May 12, 2020, Aetna updated the list of CPT codes that can be delivered via telehealth and paid for by Aetna for both Aetna Commercial plans and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans. CPT codes that were added include In addition, check out my FAQs on Aetna and telehealth that I published on April 23, 2020. I hope you found this article helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

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05/15/20

Cigna Updates Telehealth Guidance

On May 13, 2020, American Specialty Health Group, Inc. (ASH Group) released updated guidance on the billing of telehealth services to current Cigna Customers. ASH Group states to use this revised Notice as a guide on how to bill for telehealth services during via this interim process. This interim process will be effective for dates of services retroactive to March 2, 2020 going forward through at least May 31, 2020. To access this revised guide, click In addition, check out my FAQs on Cigna and telehealth that I published on April 23, 2020. I hope you find this updated guidance

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05/06/20

Can Hospital Therapy Departments Provide Telehealth Services

This article was updated on May 21, 2020. See below for updated answers. On April 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily expanded who can provide and be paid for telehealth services under the Medicare Part B program to now include physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. It was clear that this expansion of telehealth services included therapist-owned and physician-owned private practices but were unclear if this also included hospital outpatient therapy departments. Well, as of May 5, 2020, we now know the answer. QuestionCan a hospital outpatient therapy department be paid for a telehealth

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04/30/20

CMS Adds Therapists as Telehealth Providers

On April 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they were adding physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists as temporary providers of telehealth services during the Public Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is what we know so far. QuestionCan a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist in private practice provide a telehealth visit and have it paid by the Medicare program? Answer Question – New Question May 6, 2020Can a physical therapist or occupational therapist employed by a physician-owned practice provide a telehealth visit to a Medicare Part B beneficiary and

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04/29/20

Can Assistants Do Telehealth Visits

With many commercial insurance carriers and state Medicaid programs expanding telehealth services to include outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services during the COVID-19 pandemic, a frequent question I am being asked is can a physical therapist assistant (PTA) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) provide a telehealth visit? To determine the answer, you must first look at your respective state practice act as well as any other state administrative rules. Is there any language found that either allows a PTA or OTA to provide telehealth services or specifically precludes a PTA or OTA from providing telehealth services? You then must

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04/23/20

UnitedHealthcare and Telehealth: Questions and Answers

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has expanded telehealth services to include outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services. In this article, I will answer some of the more common questions I have received regarding UnitedHealthcare’s expansion of telehealth services to include physical, occupational and speech therapy services. QuestionWhen did UHC expand telehealth services to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services? Answer QuestionWhat is the end date of the expansion of telehealth services to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services? Answer QuestionWhat plans does the telehealth expansion apply to? Answer QuestionWhat CPT codes will UHC pay for

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04/23/20

Cigna and Telehealth: Questions and Answers

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Cigna has expanded telehealth services to include outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services. In this article, I will answer some of the more common questions I have received regarding Cigna’s expansion of telehealth services to include physical, occupational and speech therapy services. QuestionWhen did Cigna expand telehealth services to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services? Answer QuestionWhat is the end date of the expansion of telehealth services to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services? Answer (Updated May 24, 2020) QuestionWhat plans does the telehealth expansion apply to? Answer QuestionWhat CPT codes will

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