Effective April 9, 2020, Cigna has updated their telehealth coverage policies for outpatient physical, occupational and speech-language pathology therapy services. Previously, Cigna only covered the following CPT codes: For Physical Therapy: 97161, 97162, 97110 (only 2 units per telehealth visit) For Occupational Therapy: 97165, 97166, 97110 (only 2 units per telehealth visit) For Speech Therapy: 92507 and 92526 Per the update, Cigna will now cover the following CPT codes: I hope you found this article helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

QuestionAs of April 15, 2020 at 5:00pm EDT, does the Medicare program pay for telehealth services provided by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist? Answer I hope you found the answer to this question to be a definitive answer. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule titled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency“. In this interim final rule, CMS did add CPT codes that are typically billed by physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as covered telehealth services; however, they did not add PTs, OTs and SLPs as telehealth providers. This led many to ask why would CMS add these CPT codes to the list of covered therapy services if they did not add PTs,

While we wait for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to add physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists as telehealth providers for outpatient therapy services, a question I am receiving is how does this relate to Medicare Advantage plans. What you need to remember is that traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantages plans are not the same. Regarding Medicare Advantage plans and do they pay for telehealth services for outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services is Medicare Advantage plan specific. You must contact each insurance carrier to see if they have expanded telehealth services to include outpatient

On April 5, 2020 at 11:50pm CDT, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) posted an updated about telehealth services for physical, occupational and speech therapy services. If you submit claims on either a 1500-claim form or a UB-04 claim form, this is a must read article. The new update now states the following: Reimbursable codes are limited to the specific set of physical, occupational and speech therapy codes listed I hope you found this article helpful, especially if you are not a private practice. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

Last week, Aetna announced they were expanding telehealth services to outpatient therapy services until June 4, 2020. That’s the good news! Now for the not-so-good news. Try finding this announcement anywhere on the Aetna website. Lucky for you as a Gold Member, I will give you the step-by-step instructions how to access this announcement from Aetna and get the reference that you need. As an Aetna provider, you must I hope you found this article helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule with comment period titled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency“. This interim final rule with comment period contains important information for not only outpatient physical, occupational and speech-language pathology therapy services, but also therapy provided under a Home Health Agency plan of care and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Lets start with outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services and find out what’s new! QuestionDid CMS add physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and speech-language

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many providers of outpatient therapy services are implementing telehealth services to meet the needs of their patients. Since many have never provided telehealth services previously, they are uncertain how to do the billing. In addition, insurance carriers who are expanding telehealth coverage, either voluntarily or state mandated, may not have guidance for providers regarding the billing of outpatient therapy telehealth services. In this article, I will provide answers and/or guidance on some of the questions I have been receiving. QuestionDoes the Medicare program pay for telehealth services provided by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or