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

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.

Regence BCBS is expanding telehealth coverage in the states of Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and select counties of the state of Washington. Click HERE to read all about telehealth. If you have specific questions about telehealth coverage for outpatient physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, you will need to contact your Regence provider.

Blue Shield (BS) of California has added outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services as providers who can provide telehealth services and be reimbursed for those services. BS states “Physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy (SP), and registered nurse dietitian nutritionist services can all be provided via telehealth, limited to services that are not “hands-on” and can be provide remotely. Examples of common CPT codes that fall into this category: PT – 97110, OT – 97530, SP – 92507.” Click HERE to read it straight from the BS of California website.