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 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