
Independent Therapy Providers Association updated their address.
Independent Therapy Providers Association updated their address.
ITPA is a trade association advocating for SLPs, OTs, and PTs in private practice. Members can designate employees to represent them, such as office managers.
ITPA MEMBERS
Meet annually and receive ITPA updates via email / mail
Participate in private ITPA online discussion forums
Network with other practice owners at ITPA events
Membership is available to both individual and multi-therapist business owners. ITPA ADMINISTRATION
The business of the ITPA is administered by an executive board and administrative assistant to the board who meet regularly, a
Independent Therapy Providers Association updated their address.
After weeks of denials, BCBSTX finally changed its policy for teletherapy coverage:
https://www.bcbstx.com/provider/news/2021_03_01.html
Telemedicine Expansion for 2021 Telemedicine Expansion for 2021
BCBSTX update per bulletin 5/19/2029 on extending coverage for teletherapy through 6/30/2020.
https://www.bcbstx.com/provider/pdf/tx_using_telemed_telehealth_covid19.pdf
CMS press bulletin dated 4/30/2020 stated CMS will allow and cover telehealth and teletherapy for covered Medicare beneficiaries for the DURATION of the COVID19 crisis. This could signal to private insurance and other government payers to extend teletherapy coverage beyond 90 days.
Scroll down to section on telehealth services:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-issues-second-round-sweeping-changes-support-us-healthcare-system-during-covid
Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic | CMS At President Trump’s direction, and building on its recent historic efforts to help the U.S. healthcare system manage the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued another round of sweeping regulatory waivers and rule changes to deliver e...
These for things need to be heeded for Texas and any other state to reopen safely.
https://www.texastribune.org/
The Texas Tribune The Texas Tribune covers politics and a range of policy issues that affect all Texans. Those topics include public and higher education, health and human services, demographics and voting rights, immigration and border security, criminal justice, energy, urban affairs, the environment, and transport...
This ASHA compiled list of commercial payers for coverage of teletherapy may be useful.
https://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/COVID-19-Commercial-Insurance-Telepractice-Policy-Tracking.pdf
Attention Required! | Cloudflare If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware.
BCBS update on covered codes for telehealth and teletherapy per bulletin 4/3/2020.
https://www.bcbstx.com/provider/pdf/tx_using_telemed_telehealth_covid19.pdf
4/10/2020 update from UHC for waiver of copays and cost shares for telehealth services 6/18/2020:
https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/Novel-Coronavirus-COVID-19/covid19-telehealth-services.html
Telehealth Services UnitedHealthcare has expanded its policies around telehealth services during the COVID-19 health emergency. Check back often for updates
Medicare FFS provider in 2019? You may get some relief money:
https://www.hhs.gov/provider-relief/index.html
CARES Act Provider Relief Fund President Trump is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Abbott approved regulatory suspension for SLPAs, interns, and CFs in Texas to provide teletherapy services in bulletin 4/9/2020:
https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/covid19.htm
Agency Response and Information About COVID-19 Contact Information about the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Concerned about your Medicaid client auths? Read this from TMPH:
http://www.tmhp.com/News_Items/2020/03-March/03-31-20-PA%20Requests%20Extended%20Due%20to%20COVID-19%20Public%20Health%20Emergency.pdf
Update from Triwest:
http://www.triwest.com/en/provider/news--updates/community-providers-covid-19-resource-page/
Community Providers COVID-19 Resource Page Community Providers COVID-19 Resource Page
From HHSC about Medicaid renewals:
https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/03/hhsc-temporarily-waives-renewal-requirements-medicaid-snap-clients-during-covid-19-crisis
HHSC Temporarily Waives Renewal Requirements for Medicaid, SNAP Clients During COVID-19 Crisis | Texas Health and Human Services Texas HHS announced SNAP and Medicaid benefit renewals currently due
Update from UHC:
https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/Novel-Coronavirus-COVID-19/covid19-telehealth-services.html
Telehealth Services UnitedHealthcare has expanded its policies around telehealth services during the COVID-19 health emergency. Check back often for updates
Update from CMS.
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-physicians-and-practitioners.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0N8pUzqNowoFXy6jmln_t0FwEujU2-cctD2PmPHpESk45UReO1-QNQt3s
CMS approved teletherapy for PT/OT/Speech!
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-physicians-and-practitioners.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2E5DGJyPsANgDWfZmCZulA_mKG-nsQAmygIJLHyc3julpvdkZE4bbYadw
Read this: Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act from US Senate Committee on Smsll Business & Entrepreneurship.
https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/9/7/97ac840c-28b7-4e49-b872-d30a995d8dae/F2CF1DD78E6D6C8C8C3BF58C6D1DDB2B.small-business-owner-s-guide-to-the-cares-act-final-.pdf
PPP loan info. The devil is in the details.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2020/03/28/paycheck-protection-programdevilish-detailssome-uncertainty/
Paycheck Protection Program - Devilish Details - Some Uncertainty Well if you are in business, the first place to look is the Paycheck Protection Program whether you have been cutting paycheck or.
Thanks to ASHA Payer Summit advocacy, Tricare East will now cover teletherapy for speech therapy, and continuation only for PT/OT services. Tricare West is still pending per ASHA blog.
https://www.humanamilitary.com/provider/education-and-resources/quick-access/policy-updates-and-alerts/COVID-19-telemedicine-031320
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and TRICARE’s telemedicine benefit TRICARE covers the use of interactive audio/video technology to provide clinical consultations and office visits when appropriate and medically necessary.
Info from US Chamber of Commerce about newly passed CARES Act:
https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/cares-act-small-business-guide
Guide to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill ever, includes provisions to help small businesses. Here are the highlights.
UHC, Cigna, and Aetna covering teletherapy per announcement 3/27/2020.
This update is from ASHA.
http://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?ep=flbahtIHT9g6HWq4s8khYP9WEDJkmak-IAfO8WeH9MRDF8fcqIuxGAdjr6ue8N9L3RJFZ2-K2qD6P7e7HUxkroz3vxMXi6Ob3uTVtNcKI5cAj9YvTZfQehE7_9r-_YkK
Headlines - Health Plans Tele - 032820 As a direct result of ASHA’s advocacy efforts in recent weeks, and relationships built through ASHA’s Private Payer Summit over the past two years, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced expansion of telepractice coverage for speech-language pathology services nationwide across all lines of business, ...
Do you have IRS questions? Read this.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-and-payment-deadlines-questions-and-answers
Filing and Payment Deadlines Questions and Answers | Internal Revenue Service In Notice 2020-18 (PDF), the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced special Federal income tax return filing and payment relief in response to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. Below are answers to frequently asked questions related to the relie...
Do you have employees? Here’s info from DOL to answer your questions about FFCR Act.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers | U.S. Department of Labor The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
Good info about new relief law signed 3/27.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-stimulus-package-aid-and-stimulus-guide-for-us-individuals-and-businesses-223030400.html
Coronavirus stimulus package: Aid and stimulus guide for U.S. individuals and businesses Yahoo Finance is tracking these federal emergency stimulus measures and how individuals and businesses can apply for assistance.
UHC now allowing teletherapy.
https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/provider-telehealth-policies.html?cid=em-other-covid-19provideremail#2-mar20
Provider Telehealth Policies Effective immediately, United Healthcare is expanding our policies around telehealth services for our Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Commercial membership, making it even easier for patients to connect with their health care provider.
BCBS coverage update.
https://www.bcbs.com/press-releases/media-statement-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-companies-announce-coverage-of-telehealth-services-for-members
Media Statement: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies Announce Coverage of Telehealth Services for Members CHICAGO – Today, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association President and CEO, Scott Serota issued the following statement announcing coverage of telehealth services for members. Please check with each local Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) company for a full understanding of breadth of services since co...
This is why we all need to stay home and telework if at all possible. Map is interactive and based on models of incidence.
https://covidactnow.org/state/TX
This model predicts the last day each state can act before the point of no return The only thing that matters right now is the speed of your response
Therapists (ST/OT/PT) included as essential critical infrastructure workers, this should help case for telehealth coverage.
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA-Guidance-on-Essential-Critical-Infrastructure-Workers-1-20-508c.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1nrXpoPEIg40jdn4UH-k_TTeZK8-SAP4SyDtWc85xnicLOTjz1tN6O-4E
ASHA sent this letter to Congress 3/19 in support of teletherapy for Medicare beneficiaries but also others with disabilities. Read Section 5.
This is part of CONNECT Act expected to be voted on Monday 3/23. Contact your US representative and senator to urge support TODAY!
ASHA Letter:
https://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/ASHA-COVID-19-Congressional-Letter-House-031920.pdf
Take action this way:
https://takeaction.asha.org/asha/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=499730
New guidance today from IRS on April 15th tax filing deadline.
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2020/mar/irs-april-15-filing-delay-guidance-coronavirus-23247.html
IRS provides guidance for April 15 filing delay The IRS announced the postponement of the April 15 federal income tax filing deadline until July 15. Friday’s notice expands on earlier guidance that had only postponed tax payments but not the filing deadline.
Read about SBA loans in Texas Tribune article. Check with your CPA for specific advice..
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/20/texas-businesses-apply-small-business-administration-loans-coronavirus/
Small businesses in Texas can apply for emergency federal loans to help ride out coronavirus pandemic, Abbott announces Texans can apply online to see if they qualify for a long-term, low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Read this now.
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/19/texas-telemedicine-patients-during-coronavirus-face-insurance-roadbloc/
Texas is urging patients to seek remote health care. Some insurance plans won't pay for it. As millions of Texans isolate themselves in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, state officials are working to ramp up the use of telemedicine. But many health plans are outside of their regulatory authority.
SBA Disaster Loan info.
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index
Licensure rules about teletherapy in Texas.
https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/slpa/slparules.htm#subv
Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists Administrative Rules Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 111 - Administrative rules concerning the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
Self-employed? Read this.
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2020/mar/coronavirus-relief-bill-tax-credits-for-employers-23225.html
Coronavirus relief bill contains tax credits for employers Here’s a look at the payroll tax credit provisions for employers in the coronavirus relief bill President Donald Trump signed on Wednesday.
CARES Act info from Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/20/crowded-senate-bill-includes-tax-relief-small-biz-help-checks--student-loan-deferrals-in-response-to-coronavirus/
Crowded Senate Bill Includes Tax Relief, Small Biz Help, Checks & Student Loan Deferrals In Response To Coronavirus The Senate has introduced a massive bill intended to provide direct economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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