Upcoming Webinars
Site Updates
Disclaimer
The analysis of any legal or medical billing is dependent on numerous specific facts — including the factual situations present related to the patients, the practice, the professionals and the medical services and advice. Additionally, laws and regulations and insurance and payer policies are subject to change. The information that has been accurate previously can be particularly dependent on changes in time or circumstances. The information contained in this web site is intended as general information only. It is not intended to serve as medical, health, legal or financial advice or as a substitute for professional advice of a medical coding professional, healthcare consultant, physician or medical professional, legal counsel, accountant or financial advisor. If you have a question about a specific matter, you should contact a professional advisor directly. CPT copyright American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
Arizona PT Telehealth |
Physical Therapy is included in the new telehealth law.
Can PTs practice through telehealth?
Yes, temporarily.
"Beginning on March 25, 2020 and continuing for the duration of the Public Health Emergency declared on March 11, 2020, in order to protect public health, expedite access to and treatment of health conditions, and to slow the spread if COVID-19 within healthcare facilities, all health insurance plans regulated by the Arizona Department of Insurance are hereby required to provide coverage for all healthcare services that are provided through telemedicine if the healthcare service would be covered were it provided through an in-person visit between the enrollee and a healthcare provider."
"Insurers must reimburse healthcare providers at the same level of payment for a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit."
"Insurers must allow all electronic means of delivering telehealth, including telephone and video calls."
Below is Arizona's general telehealth rule, it does not specifically apply to physical therapy but can give guidance.
Definitions
"Telemedicine" means the practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation and treatment and the transfer of medical data through interactive audio, video or data communications that occur in the physical presence of the patient, including audio or video communications sent to a health care provider for diagnostic or treatment consultation.
Informed consent
Before a health care provider delivers health care through telemedicine, the treating health care provider shall obtain verbal or written informed consent from the patient or the patient's health care decision maker. If the informed consent is obtained verbally, the health care provider shall document the consent on the patient's medical record.
The consent requirements do not apply:
Confidentiality requirements
The patient is entitled to all existing confidentiality protections.
All medical reports resulting from a telemedicine consultation are part of a patient's medical record.
Dissemination of any images or information identifiable to a specific patient for research or educational purposes shall not occur without the patient's consent, unless authorized by state or federal law.
Reference
A.R.S. § 36-3601
A.R.S. § 36-3602
Therapy Comply LLC Copyright 2022
Therapy Comply does not claim copyright over US Federal and State materials
CPT codes are copyright 1995-2022 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
About Us Therapy Comply is a healthcare compliance firm that seeks to bring high quality web-based compliance guidance and one-on-one consulting services to small and medium size physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices. | Join Us Join today as either a monthly or a yearly member and enjoy full access to the site and a significant discount to our live and recorded webinars. Members also have access to compliance and billing support. |