Official guidance and best practices change rapidly as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. Visit the APTA coronavirus webpage for more information.

CMS Moves to Allow Digital Communications by PTs

The new regulatory waivers will allow PTs, OTs, and SLPs to engage in patient-initiated "e-visits" for purposes of assessment and management services.

"E-Visits" for PTs: What Does it Mean?

Many questions from PTs and PTAs have arisen since the CMS announcement of waivers that would allow for limited digital communication by PTs. Here's what we know so far about a still-developing system.

E-Visit Online Town Hall and Q&A March 19

Join APTA regulatory affairs experts on Thursday, March 19, for a town-hall style webinar and Q&A session on the e-visit waivers. The webinar begins at 8 p.m. ET and will be delivered via Adobe Connect; toll-free access numbers are 1-646-560-7802 or 1-888-407-5039, participant code 76560988. The event is open to members and nonmembers, but seats are limited. A Facebook Live event covering the same issues will be held Friday, March 20, at 2 p.m., ET. Recordings of both events will be available after the sessions.

APTA Statement on Patient Care and Practice Management During COVID-19 Outbreak

The APTA Board of Directors has issued a statement that stresses the importance of professional judgment that includes following CDC guidance on minimizing exposure in the clinic and at home.

National Health Emergency Triggers CMS Waivers

A "blanket waiver" system now in place eases a wide range of requirements.

Telehealth in Physical Therapy in Light of COVID-19

The use of telehealth is one approach that can help keep both patients and providers safe, but PTs and PTAs need to understand the current regulatory and payer telehealth landscape to decide whether telehealth is right — or even a possibility — for them.

APTA Coronavirus Updates

March 18, 2020

APTA answers questions about the "e-visit" CMS waiver; CMS posts guidelines for Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; experts offer advice on how the rehab community should prep for coronavirus; scientists develop models for COVID-19 patient load and severity at hospitals, and more.

March 17, 2020

APTA provides a statement, resources, and guidance; CMS allows limited digital communications by PTs; the CDC says gatherings should be fewer than 50, and more.

Health Care Headlines

PTAs Officially Join TRICARE in Mid-April

In a win for PTAs and OTAs, the Department of Defense has issued a final rule, effective April 16, that establishes them as providers in ways similar to Medicare provisions.

Membership Matters

There's Still Good Stuff Out There

All attention is rightfully focused on the coronavirus, but members are still doing cool things and providing expert perspective on an ever-growing range of topics covered by the media.

Take Action

Make Your Voice Heard: End Restrictions on the Use of Telehealth for Physical Therapy

In the midst of a pandemic, access to telehealth has become of critical importance to ensure the safety of patients and their physical therapy providers. The Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) Act is bipartisan legislation that would do exactly that by expanding the use of telehealth coverage under Medicare. APTA offers an easy-to-use template to add your voice to the push for change.

Make Your Voice Heard: Fight the Proposed 8% Payment Cut

It only takes two minutes to contact your legislators on Capitol Hill and share your concerns about the cut to physical therapy and other professions slated for 2021.

Make Your Voice Heard: 2021 Medicare Advantage Proposed Rule

CMS is seeking comment on its 2021 Medicare Advantage proposed rule. CMS is proposing to strengthen network adequacy rules, amend its Medical Loss Ratio regulations, codify sections of the SUPPORT Act, codify requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act, revise the process by which PACE organizations address service delivery requests, and more.

From #PTTransforms

The latest posts from APTA's #PTTransforms blog.

PTJ Editor's Choice: Special Issue on Innovations in Rehabilitation for People Who Have Cancer or Who Have Survived Cancer

Articles of note in this month's issue of PTJ, as selected by Editor-in-Chief Alan Jette, PT, PhD, FAPTA. (Want to keep up with the latest from PTJ? Sign up for email alerts.)