APTA's President issues a statement, updated e-visit Q&A and webinar recording available, telehealth grassroots advocacy, and more.
APTA's President issues a statement, updated e-visit Q&A and webinar recording available, telehealth grassroots advocacy, and more.
Practice Guidance
March 20: Letter From President Dunn on COVID-19 Impact
APTA President Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, released a statement on the coronavirus pandemic that calls on the physical therapy profession to rely on its unique ability to help society through a troubling period.
March 20: E-Visit Q and A Resource Updated and Expanded; Recording and Slides Available
Many questions from PTs and PTAs have arisen since the CMS announcement of waivers that would allow for limited digital communication by PTs. APTA regulatory affairs staff continue to expand and update the relevant questions and answers. In addition, APTA offers a recording of a March 19 webinar on the e-visit waiver, as well as the slide deck from the presentation.
March 20: Members Send More than 53,000 Communications to Congress Over Telehealth (and Growing)
A grassroots campaign to urge members of Congress to waive restrictions on the use of telehealth for physical therapy services has sparked more than 50,000 communications in less than week—one of the most impressive APTA advocacy efforts to date. A second grassroots campaign focused on congressional action to provide additional relief to physical therapists has generated more than 2,000 emails. Both initiatives continue to gain momentum.
March 20: APTA Offers More Template Letters to Advocate for Telehealth to Payers, State Officials
APTA has developed two template letters to use in advocating to states — your governor, state representatives, and Medicaid office director — for coverage by private payers and Medicaid of telehealth furnished by PTs and PTAs to ensure that patients continue to have access to the rehabilitative care they need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One letter is for individual PTs and PTAs; the other letter is for state chapters. Instructions are included at the top of each letter. Also available: a template letter on telehealth designed to be sent to payers.
March 18: TRICARE Expands Telemedicine Benefit
A new announcement from TRICARE Humana Military states: "If a beneficiary meets all other criteria for a covered service for speech therapy and for continuation of PT/OT, (but not initiation of PT/OT), it is covered using telemedicine, using any coding modifiers as you would for a TRICARE network provider office visit."
From OSHA
March 19: OSHA Releases Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
A recently released guide from OSHA covers topics including steps employers can take to reduce exposure, how to classify worker exposure to SARS-C0V-2, and contact information for OSHA regional offices.
From the CDC
March 16: NIOSH Publishes Guidelines on Proper N95 Respirator Use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has released an illustrated guide to safe use of the N95 respirator. Topics include filtration, fit, and proper use, as well as situational strategies to achieve the best fit during serious outbreak conditions.
Visit APTA's Coronavirus webpage for more information and updates.