Telehealth physical therapy refers to the delivery of physical therapy services through remote means such as videoconferencing or phone calls. The use of telehealth has increased in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has been growing in popularity for a while now. Many patients are now seeking the convenience of telehealth physical therapy services from the comfort of their own homes.
Insurance coverage for telehealth physical therapy varies depending on the insurance provider and the policy held by the patient. However, most insurance providers now cover telehealth physical therapy services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed physical therapists to bill for telehealth services during the pandemic.
In general, telehealth physical therapy services are covered by insurance providers in the same way that in-person physical therapy services are covered. This means that patients will usually pay their normal copay, deductible, or coinsurance for telehealth physical therapy services, just as they would for in-person services.
It is important to note that not all insurance providers cover telehealth physical therapy services. Patients should check with their insurance provider to see if telehealth physical therapy services are covered under their policy. Some insurance providers may require preauthorization for telehealth physical therapy services, so patients should be aware of this as well.
In conclusion, insurance coverage for telehealth physical therapy varies depending on the insurance provider and the policy held by the patient. Patients should check with their insurance provider to see if telehealth physical therapy services are covered under their policy and what the associated costs will be. With the increasing popularity of telehealth physical therapy, patients are now able to access high-quality physical therapy services from the comfort of their own homes, without having to worry about insurance coverage.