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

On April 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they were adding physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists as temporary providers of telehealth services during the Public Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is what we know so far. QuestionCan a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist in private practice provide a telehealth visit and have it paid by the Medicare program? Answer Question – New Question May 6, 2020Can a physical therapist or occupational therapist employed by a physician-owned practice provide a telehealth visit to a Medicare Part B beneficiary and

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

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Cigna 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 Cigna’s expansion of telehealth services to include physical, occupational and speech therapy services. QuestionWhen did Cigna 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 (Updated May 24, 2020) QuestionWhat plans does the telehealth expansion apply to? Answer QuestionWhat CPT codes will

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Aetna 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 Aetna’s expansion of telehealth services to include physical, occupational and speech therapy services. QuestionWhen did Aetna 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 (Updated June 1, 2020) QuestionWhat plans does the telehealth expansion apply to? Answer QuestionWhat CPT codes will

Today, I am receiving emails and phone calls from providers around the country that believe the Medicare program covers telehealth services provided by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or a speech-language pathologist. I have even received emails from several providers stating they provided telehealth visits to Medicare beneficiaries, submitted the claim to their Medicare Administrative Contractor using place of service code 02 on the 1500-claim form and appended modifier 95 or modifier 95 and the GP modifier to the CPT code(s) on the claim form and were paid. I hate to tell you, but you were paid in error. As

Effective with dates of service beginning on April 13, 2020, the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation as issued an emergency rule regarding rehabilitation services and telehealth services. This emergencyrule allows health care providers licensed to perform physical medicine and rehabilitation services, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists to bill and be reimbursed for services currently allowed under CMS telemedicine and telehealth billing codes. Health care providers must bill for telemedicine or telehealth services using the same billing, coding, reporting, and documentation requirements used for in-person services and include a place of service code “02 – telehealth” on the

On April 13, 2020, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) announced they have expanded telehealth services to include outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services. The temporary changes are retroactive to April 1 and will be in effect through at least May 15, 2020, and could beextended after that, if circumstances warrant. There will be no waiver of cost share (e.g. copays, deductibles, and coinsurance) for these services and all contractual limitations, conditions, policies, and procedures will apply. Codes must be submitted with place of service 02 and modifier 95 or GT to indicate billing of a telehealth service. Appropriate