Thread by @JLSkillings

#psychologist - what does the CMS
#telehealth waiver means for you, your practice, and #Medicare Patients? An @APAPractice thread...

apaservices.org/practice/legal…

Great news = #Medicare patients can now receive telehealth care in their homes or ANY health care facility during the #coronavirus emergency.
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#psychologist practice location was not restricted. We expect this means that psychologists can practice telehealth out of their homes, and we have contacted @CMSGov to confirm.
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Psychologists can be reimbursed for videoconferencing telehealth by using their computer, tablet or smartphone as long as both audio and video capabilities enabled.
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Telephone-only (i.e. audio only) sessions are reasonable and ethical in many situations, but they are not approved for reimbursement in Medicare. @APA will continue to advocate with CMS for telephone-only services.
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#HIPAA rules are temporarily relaxed for psychologists providing telehealth services in "good faith." It means psychologists can use Skype or Facetime or other HIPAA non-compliant platforms during the emergency.
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It is still best practice to use HIPAA-compliant practices as much as possible because they offer the best #privacy for the patient(s) and communities we serve.
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Medicare telehealth provisions are technically only for patients you have seen in the past 3 years. But CMS said they are not going to check. This means psychologists can see new and/or established Medicare patients and get reimbursed.
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Medicare will reimburse the same amount for telehealth as in-person psychological care.
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Psychologists should code/bill Medicare for telehealth services in the same way you would bill for an office visit, using the appropriate CPT code for the service provided.
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A specific place of service (POS) code, 02, must be used for all Medicare telehealth services regardless of where the psychologist is physically located. POS 02 certifies that the service meets the telehealth requirements (i.e. the service was furnished with audio & video).
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For additional coding and billing technical information, see: apaservices.org/practice/reimb….
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These changes are helpful, but do not address all the issues psychologists are encountering as they seek to serve their Medicare patients during this #coronavirus emergency.
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@APA will continue to #advocate for telephone-only services, psychological and #neuropsychological testing, and interprofessional #consultation.
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These changes do not address Medicaid or commercial payors. But @APA has a plan...
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@APA has partnered with state psychological associations to roll out a 50-state strategy to advocate with state regulators (i.e. insurance commissioner; Governor) and commercial insurance companies.
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Finally @APA is working collaboratively with @asppb to consider how psychologists could provide our services across state lines, while protecting another caring for the public.
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I am SO proud of my @APAPractice team and our @APAEducation and @APA federal Advocacy and Comms teams! We have rolled up our sleeves 15+ hours every day to fight for #psychology and #psychologists.
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I am also VERY proud of our professional #psychologist community who has come together during this #coronavirus emergency like never before. Our unity and strength demonstrates something the world needs more of right now - hope.
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Remember to take care of your own wellbeing, offer a bit of extra grace for yourself and others, and be well.
Peace. - Jared
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