Telehealth after COVID-19

Are you currently using telehealth services in your clinic?

Telehealth has been extremely valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Reduces risk of infection from COVID-19 for high risk populations

2. Helps keep clinics open during challenging economic times.

3. Provides patients with the necessary care they need.

4. Provides care for patients in rural areas who have difficulty accessing PT clinics.

I was in my last rotation at the start of the pandemic when telehealth, virtual check-ins, and e-visits were something clinics needed to consider in order to continue to provide services. Fortunately, it didn’t take too long for telehealth services to become reimbursable for therapists during the national state of emergency; however, we need to advocate to continue to offer these services once the national state of emergency is no longer in effect.

I attended an APTA Key Contacts webinar and this chart was presented by Justin Elliott. Justin Elliott is vice president of government affairs at APTA, where he has led the association's legislative, public policy, and political efforts on Capitol Hill since 2015. He explained that the items on the right hand side will no longer be available after the national emergency ends.

What is the difference between medicare telehealth visits, virtual check-in, and e-visits?

A virtual check-in is described as brief communication technology-based services.

“The code (HCPCS code G2012) allows audio-only real-time telephone interactions in addition to synchronous, two-way audio interactions that are enhanced with video or other kinds of data transmission. It requires direct interaction between you and the patient. CMS expects this service to be initiated by the patient. While CMS aims to allow e-visits, virtual check-ins, and remote assessment of video or images by PTs, telehealth services will no longer be reimbursed post national emergency.” (APTA.org)

HCPCS is a collection of standardized codes that represent medical procedures, supplies, products and services. The codes are used to facilitate the processing of health insurance claims by Medicare and other insurers.

Currently, CMS is “seeking comment on whether these services should be added to the Medicare telehealth services list so that, in instances when a practitioner who is eligible to bill for telehealth services furnishes these services via telehealth, they could bill and receive payment for them.” (CMS)

Time to Take Action

The easiest way to advocate for this would be to send an email, like, and share this post/other posts related to it to educate your fellow colleagues. I posted a link in my bio on how to send an email to your legislators (available for both APTA members/nonmembers).

Questions? Leave a comment down below and/or send a DM!