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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 — but 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. Access FSBPT's state licensing board contact information.
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.
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 1, 2020
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
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.
Nov 24, 2020 / Summary
Some states have laws that govern how commercial payers provide coverage and payment for telehealth visits compared with in-person visits.
Nov 24, 2020 / Summary
The physical therapy regulatory board in that state is the ultimate authority on the licensure and compact privilege requirements for providing PT services in the jurisdiction.
Nov 24, 2020 / Summary
This chart links to state actions related to Medicaid, commercial, and workers’ comp coverage of telehealth as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Nov 4, 2020 / Review
CMS' final version of the rule doesn't depart much from what it proposed in June.
Oct 7, 2020 / News
AmeriHealth Caritas and Independence Blue Cross will implement the new coverage policies on Jan. 1.