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Use of telehealth is rapidly expanding; make sure you know the requirements.
APTA has been a long-time advocate for PTs and PTAs providing services via telehealth — the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to remotely provide health care information and services. COVID-19 has quickly changed the landscape of telehealth and other communication technology-based services.
Before You Begin Practicing Telehealth in Your State
Examine your state's physical therapy licensure law and corresponding state licensure board regulations/rules. In many states, the state physical therapy practice act is silent on the use of telehealth. If this is the case in your state, you may wish to contact your state licensure board to ensure there are no limitations or restrictions for practicing telehealth.
You should also review telecommunications modalities, consider federal and state legislation and regulations that govern your practice, billing and coding issues, and hardware and software requirements.
APTA has developed a telehealth certificate series to ensure and validate that the physical therapy profession is prepared to provide excellent care via telehealth.
Also see APTA's position on teleheath.
Recommended Content
Oct 16, 2020 / Article
What you need to know about documentation, coding, and billing consideration when providing telehealth services.
Dec 22, 2020 / Article
Using telehealth to deliver physical therapist services is expanding rapidly, and if you haven't already, you're probably considering it.
Dec 16, 2020 / Article
Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to remotely provide health care information and services.
Dec 22, 2020 / Article
Before implementing telehealth into your practice, review and become familiar with state and federal regulations in which you practice.
Mar 22, 2021
The use of telehealth by PTs and PTAs is not only appropriate, but effective in delivering effective care and expanding patient access to that care.
Additional Telehealth in Practice Content
Apr 16, 2021 / Summary
A summary of the status of commercial payers that are covering some form of telehealth or e-visits, based on information they have released.
Sep 29, 2021 / Podcast
APTA's monthly advocacy and regulatory update to keep you informed on issues that matter most to you in the areas of advocacy, regulatory issues, and payment.
Sep 22, 2021 / Statement
While APTA recognizes telehealth as a component of physical therapist practice, we challenge any reference to physical therapy by technology companies, products, or applications for products that are not directed and delivered by a physical therapist.
Sep 21, 2021 / Review
An international panel established the competencies across seven broad domains that include "patient safety" and "technology skills."
Nov 24, 2020 / Summary
Access a state-by-state chart that links to current state laws, regulations, executive orders, policies, and guidance governing telehealth for physical therapy.
Jul 27, 2021 / Open Access
n a descriptive study that’s already been featured in 14 news stories, Mark Werneke, PT, and colleagues analyzed data on more than 222,000 patients in the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes database. Werneke and Jette talk in depth about the relatively low use of telerehabilitation in the outpatient population studied.
Jul 20, 2021 / Review
Researchers studied an intensive three-week program, delivered remotely, and found significant gains for women 65 and older with knee OA.
Jul 9, 2021 / Review
COVID-19 increased the use of virtual care — but that doesn't mean knowledge gaps have been filled, say authors of a new analysis.
May 26, 2021 / News
UHC is the first of the largest insurers to make the move advocated by APTA.
May 19, 2021 / Podcast
APTA's monthly advocacy and regulatory update covers multiple topics from the perspective of what's happened, what's hot right now, and what to keep an eye on in the future. In this episode: SNF and IRF rules, a sequestration win, telehealth, and more.