On March 26, 2020, South Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19. You will want to read question #14 as this pertains to physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Here is the Question and Answer: Can physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists file for telephone visits?Yes, we will accept claims for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, using the following codes: • 98966: Telephonic Assessment and Management services provided by a qualified non-physician health care professional to an established patient; 5-10 minutes of medical discussion • 98967: Telephonic Assessment and Management

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

The North Carolina Physical Therapy Association has provided updated Reimbursement and Practice Updates Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic. To access the update, click HERE.

The Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA) has provided updated information regarding Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan covering telehealth services for outpatient physical therapy. Per the MPTA website, it now states “BCBSM has informed MPTA that it will cover CPT Codes 97110, 97112, 97116, 97530 and 97535 via telehealth effective for both commercial and MA population until June 30. Unfortunately, this policy decision has not been finalized or implemented and we have not been given any further information. Until official notification is provided, providers should not bill for telehealth services. MPTA continues to advocate for coverage of telehealth services. We will

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.

Per the Nebraska (NE) Physical Therapy Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Nebraska has made the decision to adjust their telehealth policy to cover Physical, Speech and Occupational therapy services . BCBS NE will accept telehealth charges from any credentialed provider with no video component required during this pandemic urgency period. An announcement will be place on our Happening Now section of our webpage later this today. Here is the link to our Happening Now section that will be updated: https://www.nebraskablue.com/Providers/Alerts-and-Updates/Happening-Now A provider may bill using E&M codes, therapy codes or telehealth codes and must use the modifier 95 and

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina has expanded reimbursement for all services delivered through telehealth that meets the criteria outlined in the attached document. To access this document, click HERE.

Per the New Hampshire Physical Therapy Associations website, Governor Sununu released an Executive Order that along with Guidance from the State of NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) that appears to provide guidance for utilization of telehealth by physical therapists in NH.  The New Hampshire Physical Therapy Association website goes on to say “While the executive order from the governor does not explicitly detail physical therapists, the additional OPLC guidance states that “effective immediately, the Governor has ordered ‘all medical providers[…] be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of telehealth, including video and