NCART seeks to make telehealth flexibilities permanent
By HME News Staff
Updated 12:17 PM CST, Mon January 6, 2025
WASHINGTON – Now that Congress has extended telehealth flexibilities through March 2025, NCART says it will continue to work toward a permanent solution that allows PTs and OTs to receive coverage under Medicare for remote services related to the provision of complex rehab technology products. To preserve and protect access to CRT and promote continuity of care for beneficiaries, the organization says it will continue to advocate for permanently including PT and OT codes used in the provision of CRT on the Medicare Telehealth Services list, which CMS reviews and updates each year. “NCART will look for opportunities to support the continuation of this important initiative when the new administration takes office,” it stated in a recent bulletin. PTs and OTs were included in the expansion of telehealth services in 2020 during the COVID-19 public health emergency. NCART says these flexibilities have allowed beneficiaries to participate in the required specialty evaluation remotely; mitigated transportation challenges and cost for beneficiaries; provided beneficiaries with greater access to clinicians with the knowledge, skills and experience in wheelchair evaluations; and provided clinicians with visual access to the home environment.
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