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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.
Mar 8, 2021 / News
Our new online series delivers what you need to know about providing services via telehealth — and even includes some "secret sauce."
Mar 3, 2021 / Resource
APTA has developed a telehealth certificate series to ensure that you are prepared to provide excellent care via telehealth.
Mar 3, 2021 / Article
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the number of patients seeking physical therapist services via telehealth. This paradigm shift will improve access to care, but it also brings change.
Feb 12, 2021 / Review
Researchers say large pockets of patients are simply opting out from care — with care for MSK conditions high on the list.
Jan 1, 2021 / Article
As of Jan. 1, 2021, CMS permanently allows PTs in private practice and facility-based settings to render virtual check-ins (HCPCS code G2251) under Medicare.
Jan 1, 2021 / Article
As of Jan. 1, 2021, CMS permanently allows PTs in private practice and facility-based settings to render e-visits (CPT codes 98970-98972) under Medicare.
Jan 1, 2021 / Article
As of Jan. 1, 2021, CMS permanently allows PTs in private practice and facility-based settings to render a remote assessment of recorded video and/or images (HCPCS code G2250) under Medicare.
Dec 29, 2020 / Summary
Summary of the status of federal payers that are covering some form of telehealth, based on information they have released.
Dec 2, 2020 / Review
The final rule highlights the need for legislative action to give CMS more latitude in budgets and telehealth.