On March 26, 2020, at 11:00pm CDT, Unitedhealthcare (UHC) posted the following announcement on their website:

On March 26, 2020, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation announced they will temporarily expand the providers permitted to bill for virtual check in services and telephone services to check in with established patients. Telephone services include CPT codes 99371, 99372 or 99373. The virtual check in service codes include CPT codes 98970, 98971, and 98972. The virtual check-incontact is usually made electronically through a patient portal. For purposes of this temporary policy update, the contact can also be made by email. These code sets are currently billed by providers who can render Evaluation and Management Services. Under Policy Alert

One Call sent providers a 2-page “Network Frequently Asked Questions” document via fax. In this fax, One Call states they will now cover telerehabilitation for their injured clients. One Call provides answers to 10 frequently asked questions. If submitting claims on a 1500-claim form, One Call states to use 02 as the place of service code. You will bill for telerehabilitation the same as you for outpatient therapy utilizing standard CPT coding and state guidelines. Click HERE to access the 2-page One Call document.

On March 26, 2020, MedRisk emailed providers notifying them that they are putting provisions in place to consider providers who have telerehabilitation programs to utilize these services for MedRisk/SPNet referrals during this time of social distancing and isolation. MedRisk states to continue to bill MedRisk/SPNet directly for your services using standard billing codes and ensure the Place of Service is 02 when administering telerehabilitation. Click HERE to access the document MedRisk sent via fax to its providers.

On March 15, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charles D. Baker issued an order expanding access to telehealth services and to protect healthcare providers. This order requires all Commercial Health Insurers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Health Maintenance Organizations regulated by the Division of Insurance, are hereby required to allow all in-network providers to deliver clinically appropriate, medically necessary covered services to members via telehealth. Click HERE to access this order. Click HERE to access the Massachusetts Physical Therapy Association COVID-19 Resource Center.

The state of Alaska has released the following Notice: Notice of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development announces the issuance of Bulletin 20-07 to insurers regarding changes to telehealth coverage standards that are the result of emergency legislation, effective March 17, 2020. The new law may be found at: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/start.asp  . Enter the bill number HB29 to find the full text and legislative history of the bill. You may obtain a copy of the bill by contacting the Alaska Legislative Information Office. Please note that this bill has an IMMEDIATE effective date of 3/17/2020. The bill revises AS 21.42.422 to expand telehealth

On March 3, 2020, New York State Department of Financial Services issued Insurance Circular Letter No. 3 (2020) to All Insurers Authorized to Write Accident and Health Insurance in New York State, Article 43 Corporations, Health Maintenance Organizations, Student Health Plans Certified Pursuant to Insurance Law § 1124, and Municipal Cooperative Health Benefit Plans. The letter goes on to state the following: “Issuers are reminded that Insurance Law §§ 3217-h and 4306-g and Public Health Law § 4406-g prohibit issuers from excluding a service that is otherwise covered under a comprehensive health insurance policy or contract because the service is

Florida Medicaid has expanded telehealth coverage to the following: • Behavior analysis services • Therapy services • Specified behavioral health services • Early intervention services Click HERE to access the article.