Medicare allows telehealth for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and SLPs

4/30/20 - CMS has made a big announcement on rehab services during COVID-19

For weeks now, everyone has been waiting to see if Medicare would open the door to PT, OT, and SLP telehealth. The good news is that as of this blog post (4/30), they finally have.

For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, CMS is waiving limitations on the types of clinical practitioners that can furnish Medicare telehealth services. Prior to this change, only doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certain others could deliver telehealth services. Now, other practitioners are able to provide telehealth services, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.CMSTweet

These codes are eligible to physical therapists to furnish and bill under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule when provided via telehealth:97161- 97164, 97110, 97112, 97116, 97150, 97530, 97535, 97542, 97750, 97755, 97760, and 97761.APTA Guidance (additional codes may also be available)

The guidance seems to be similar to e-visit billing with some minor exceptions. The place of service code should be the same as when provided in the office and a 95 & GP modifier should be used.

Finally...

Many have been advocating for this for weeks as the crisis has gone on. This advocacy has paid off.

The Bottom Line

This is literally hot off the press, more information will be coming forth.