Telehealth proved its efficacy during the heart of the COVID-19 public health emergency, when hospitals and clinics sharply limited in-person appointments, but wheelchairs and seating provision for Medicare beneficiaries still needed to move forward. The telehealth option isn’t the answer in every situation: It’s not a good fit where internet connections are unreliable or when…
Telehealth Update: Industry Organizations Comment on Latest Extension, 2025 Wins
Legislation Introduced as Sept. 30 Telehealth Deadline Looms for Clinicians
Two new bills seek a two-year extension, as advocates work on permanent telehealth coverage.
The Medicare telehealth flexibility granted to physical and occupational therapists since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is about to expire, again. But newly introduced bills seek a two-year extension. After multiple telehealth extensions throughout the pandemic’s public health emergency (PHE), the current waiver is due to end on Sept. 30, unless Congress takes action.…
December Spending Bill Extends Medicare Telehealth Coverage Through March
NCART lauds the extension of telehealth for occupational and physical therapists as crucial to timely CRT provision.
The late-December spending bill that funds federal government programs through March 2025 includes an extension of Medicare telehealth funding. President Joe Biden signed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act 2025, into law on Dec. 21. While critical home medical equipment (HME) legislation, including much-needed funding relief for HME providers, was left out of the bill,…
CTF Releases ‘Scope of Practice for Seating and Wheeled Mobility Clinical Services’ Paper
The new resource defines OT, PT roles related to seating and wheeled mobility services.
The Clinician Task Force (CTF) has released a position statement, “Scope of Practice for Seating and Wheeled Mobility Clinical Services,” completed in December 2023. In a Feb. 27 announcement, the CTF said, “This document aims to define the occupational and physical therapy role and responsibilities in seating and wheeled mobility services for educators, rehabilitation professionals,…