Governor Pritzker of Illinois, On March 19, 2020, mandated that all insurance carriers regulated by the Department of Insurance are hereby required to cover the cost of Telehealth Services rendered by in-network providers to deliver any clinically appropriate, medically necessary covered services and treatments to insureds, enrollees and members under each policy, contract, or certificate of health insurance coverage. Click HERE to read the order. Click HERE to access the Illinois PT Association website regarding any updates.

In the state of Louisiana, the Department of Insurance, Office of the Commissioner, has issued a Declaration of Emergency mandating the following: §3309. Telemedicine Provider Access A. Health insurance issuers shall waive any coverage limitations restricting telemedicine access to provider included within a plan’s telemedicine network. B. Health insurance issuers shall waive any requiremen that the patient and provider have a prior relationship in order to have services delivered through telemedicine.AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Proclamation No. JBE 2020-29.HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Insurance, Office of the Commissioner, LR 46. §3311. Telemedicine Services Coverage A. Health insurance

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has announced they will pay for virtual visits (telehealth) without any member cost-share to remove barriers to receiving care. In addition, Wellmark’s Iowa and South Dakota network providers will receive the same fee for virtual visits as an in-person visit. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services. Click HERE to read it straight from Wellmark BCBS and to see what CPT codes can be billed for telehealth by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists.

On March 25, 2020, The State of Washington Governor Jay Inslee has issued a proclamation that states the following: “FURTHERMORE, based on the above situation and under the provisions of RCW 43.06.220(1)(h), tohelp preserve and maintain life, health, property or the public peace in addressing the COVID-19 State of Emergency, and for services provided during the period for which the above statutory waiver is in effect, I also prohibit the following activities by health carriers to encourage health care providers to provide telemedicine services by providing for payment parity between telemedicine and in-person medical services: Reimbursing in-network providers for telemedicine

On March 25, 2020, Arizona Governor Douglas A. Ducey issued an Executive Order stating “Beginning on March 25, 2020 and continuing for the duration of the Public Health Emergency declared in Arizona on March 11, 2020, in order to protect public health, expedite access to and treatment of health conditions, and to slow the spread of COVID-19 within healthcare facilities, all health insurance plans regulated by the Arizona Department of Insurance are hereby required to provide coverage for all healthcare services that are provided through telemedicine if the healthcare service would be covered were it provided through an in-person visit

On March 20, 2020, South Dakota Medicaid has added temporary coverage of occupational therapy and physical therapy via telemedicine for patients at high risk for COVID-19 or under quarantine or social distancing during a declared emergency for COVID-19. Therapy services may only utilize telemedicine if the patient and provider have previously met for in-person services. Use of telemedicine for the convenience of the provider or recipient is not covered. South Dakota Medicaid has updated the Telemedicine Billing and Policy Manual to allow coverage for CPT codes 97530, 97110, and 97112. Telemedicine coverage is also available for school districtsunder CPT codes

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Georgia has a webpage where they are posted updates regarding COVID-19. To access the BCBS of Georgia provider home page, click HERE.

Here is a nice resource of states that have taken action on telehealth coverage. Check back daily as new information may be posted.

Click HERE to access the content.