This article was updated on May 29, 2020. See below for answers that have been updated. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance regarding the billing of E-Visits and Telephone Services provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. In this article, I will provide you the information via a question and answer format. QuestionWhat is the update that CMS released and how does it pertain to the E-Visits and Telephone Services? Answer (Updated on May 26, 2020) QuestionWhat codes were added to the list of “sometimes therapy” services? Answer QuestionSince the above codes have

This article was updated on July 23, 2020 due to Secretary Azar extending the Public Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article was updated on June 23, 2020 due to CMS clarifying if a practitioner can be out of the country and provide a telehealth visit to a Medicare beneficiary in a state where the practitioner is licensed in. See below for the question and the answer. This article was updated on May 27, 2020 due to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expanding telehealth coverage for outpatient therapy services to include institutional providers. Please see questions

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!

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!

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

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

Effective with dates of service on and after April 16, 2020, TRICARE recognizes physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) as TRICARE-Authorized Providers. On April 22, 2020, TRICARE updated their Policy Manual to include PTAs and OTAs. Highlights of the Policy Manual update include the following: Scope of practice of a PTA and OTA Supervision requirements of the PTA and OTA based on practice setting Reimbursement for services provided by a PTA or OTA Application of the CQ and CO modifier when services are provided in whole or in part by a PTA or OTA, respectively Payment differential

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