APTA Statement on Patient Care and Practice Management During COVID-19 Outbreak
APTA encourages physical therapists to use their professional judgment to determine when, where, and how to provide care, with the understanding this is not the optimal environment for care, for anyone involved. (March 17, 2020)
Letter From President Dunn on COVID-19 Impact
This is a challenging time to be in health care. We need each other. (March 20, 2020)
Take Action
As Congress works on the next COVID relief package, contact your members of Congress today for inclusion of a legislative proposal aimed to prevent deep cuts to Medicare slated to take effect on January 1, 2021. Taking action now and in the days ahead is vital to our profession and patients.
Recommended Resources
CDC Information and Resources for Health Care Professionals
Includes guidance related to patient care and protection of patients and workers.
Physical Therapist Management of Patients With Diagnosed or Suspected COVID-19
Includes information for outpatient facilities, inpatient facilities, and home health.
COVID-19 and Practice Guidance
While APTA continues to point to the latest CDC guidance, the association and other groups are creating more refined guidance, including guidance for management of patients with diagnosed or suspected COVID-19, plus setting-specific guidance for acute hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient, pediatrics, wound care, and more. (April 21, 2020).
The State of States: Four Ways to Stay Up-to-Speed on Telehealth, Licensure Provisions, and Other State-Level Changes
It can’t be stressed enough: Individual states are the decision-makers around much of what PTs and PTAs can and can’t do in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These regularly updated resources can help you make fact-based practice decisions.
CDC Issues Recommendations on Workers Who May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
The latest guidance says that critical workers, including health care providers, who may have been exposed to COVID-19 may continue to work under very controlled circumstances that include mask use (but must leave if they begin experiencing symptoms).
Telehealth and E-visits
APTA guidance for providing telehealth services and e-visits amid COVID-19.
PTs, PTAs Could Be ‘Exempted’ From Receiving Additional COVID-19 Leave
A final rule from the Department of Labor includes PTs and PTAs among the health care providers whose employers — depending on the setting — could opt to deny expanded sick and FMLA leave. (April 3, 2020)
New TRICARE Rule Allows for Telephone-Delivered Services, Drops Copays
Audio-only visits will be allowed when necessary, cost-sharing is lifted, and TRICARE licensing requirements relaxed. (May 11, 2020)
APTA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
APTA has provided multiple updates chronicling the rapid evolution of COVID-19 guidance and related regulations. Use these to catch up on what you’ve missed. (May 15, 2020)
Additional Resources
ASPR TRACIE Resources by HHS
To access COVID-19 best or promising practices, plans, tools, or templates from your peers, please visit the ASPR TRACIE Information Exchange.
More Provider Money Is Coming From HHS. Can PTs Qualify?
The latest round of COVID-19 relief funds is intended to help providers who don’t bill large amounts to Medicare, but qualifications are built on data that PTs typically don’t provide to HHS. There may be a workaround. (April 24, 2020)
New COVID Relief Package Adds $75 Billion to Funding for Health Care Providers
The $484.4 billion package includes another $75 billion available for provider relief through HHS. (April 22, 2020)
CARES Act Provider Relief: Sorting Out the Details
HHS eases concerns about who qualifies for the money, among other information. (April 22, 2020)
APTA to Congress: Now’s the Time to Support Providers, Protect Patients, Expand Telehealth, and Make Lasting Changes
APTA advocates for a relief package that not only provides emergency relief but improves care after the emergency ends. (April 17, 2020)
Relief Act Opens up Possibility for Grants to College, University Students
Students in physical therapy programs could see some monetary relief. (April 14, 2020)
APTA Advisory: CMS Opens the Possibility of Providing Care to a Patient in the Same Building — But Not in the Same Room
Details are in short supply, but in a recent communication with APTA, CMS seems to say that a PT’s evaluation or treatment visit via real-time video, if delivered to a patient in a different room of the same building, could be billed as in-person services. (April 9, 2020)
New CMS Nursing Home Recommendations Stress Collaboration, Consistent Staffing Assignment
The new recommendations underscore existing CDC and CMS guidance and call for extensive use of masks and other PPE. (April 3, 2020)
New Federal Student Loan Changes Over COVID-19
There is some potentially good news when it comes to students who have federal student loans. (April 1, 2020)
Upcoming Events
Register for Impact of COVID-19 on the NPTE: An Update for Schools and Member Boards
FSBPT is hosting a free webinar on Friday, May 15, at 3:10 pm ET, to provide updates and answer questions on the challenges facing students taking the NPTE
Advance registration is required.
Online Learning
APTA Learning Center Offers Free Online Courses
The opportunities include both live and recorded telehealth webinars, as well as self-paced courses on a range of topics — all free to APTA members, including some free courses for nonmembers. (April 3, 2020)
Opportunities
Volunteer: Physical Therapy Support During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
APTA is working with other members and organizations to match facilities who need physical therapy services with volunteers who are willing to serve.
APTA Wants To Hear From You About Your COVID-19 Experiences
Are you on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic? APTA would like to hear from PTs, PTAs, and students about their experiences.
As of late April the priority for physical therapist servicesphysical therapist services is in the acute care and ICU settings, the need for all physical therapist services will increase across all settings as the pandemic moves into a recovery phase.
Perspectives
We Didn’t Take Pandemic 101 in PT School: Working in the Acute Care and ICU Setting During the COVID-19 Crisis
I am an acute care physical therapist treating COVID-19 patients. Nothing can prepare you for practice in this type of crisis. Aside from worry about exposure due to lack of PPE and potentially bringing this virus home to my family, I am most impacted by the loneliness of my patients and the anxiety of families during their hospital stay — whether due to COVID-19 or another medical emergency. (May 8, 2020)
Physical Therapy’s Role in the Fight Against COVID-19
People recovering from the most severe effects of the novel coronavirus, may have a long road ahead and physical therapists are helping. And physical therapy will continue to be needed by many long after they leave the hospital. (April 30, 2020)
When Your Race Is a Comorbidity, COVID-19 Sheds Light
There are things we, as individuals and as health care providers, can do to get off the hamster wheel of health disparities. (April 22, 2020)
Education Resources
Visit the websites of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, the Academy of Physical Therapy Education, and the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education for information related information on COVID-19.
FSBPT Updates: Scheduling challenges continue (May 8, 2020)
Get updates regarding the impact of COVID-19 on physical therapy examination and other licensure information.
PT-CAS Updates: Early-decision deadline extended. (May 8, 2020)
Regular updates for PT-CAS programs and student applicants.
Letter to Students Regarding COVID-19
In times like this, it’s more important than ever to remember why we chose the profession of physical therapy, and to look for any opportunity to be a positive force in the health of society. (March 23, 2020)
APTA Events and Operations
APTA is suspending in-person meetings and APTA business travel by staff or members through July 1, 2020. This includes moving our House of Delegates to a virtual format and canceling the NEXT Conference & Exposition that was to occur in Phoenix. A smaller virtual NEXT is currently in development to occur over the original June 3-6 dates.
Global Updates
The World Confederation for Physical Therapy
WCPT is a global hub for information and resources about COVID-19 relevant to the physiotherapy profession. Review statement in response to COVID-19.
*** Source: https://www.apta.org/
