I will communicate this issue to the ALS Association National Public Policy Team unless, of course, they are already aware?

Alisa, Amy L- have you already reached out?

Amy L., can you share the link which lists the reimbursable codes?  

I would imagine ASHA has up to date information?

Thanks in advance,

On Fri, May 1, 2020 at 11:01 AM Amy Roman <xxxxxx@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Hi Amy L.,

Thanks for bringing up this important distinction.  Many private insurance companies are doing the same thing.  United and Cigna don't include AAC or other important codes.   Wow, how hard was if for them to just let professionals decide which codes could and could not be provided adequately though telehealth services.  It all seem so random.  

Now the questions is how do we correct this problem.  Can anyone direct us to the lobbying team or people who can help us get this issue addressed as soon as possible. This issue very directly impacts people with ALS!  

I'm in the final months of a study entitled The Value and Feasibility of Telepractice Speech Generating Device Evaluation and Treatment for People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  I had started it in 2018.  If I can be of help let me know.  

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist


Forbes Norris ALS Research and Treatment Center
& ALSA Golden West AAC Evaluation Center and Lending Library

1100 Van Ness Ave.
6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109

Cell (415)518-0592
Fax (415)375-4827

AmyandpALS.Com
Pinterest.com/AmyandpALS

On Friday, May 1, 2020, 07:22:45 AM PDT, Amy Lustig <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

Although this is good news in some respects, the codes approved for reimbursement are limited to a few basic speech and language evaluation and treatment. Many codes are not reimbursable, including any AAC-specific ones, swallowing, or instrumental assessments. 

Sent from my iPhone

On May 1, 2020, at 9:14 AM, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org> wrote:



Sharing 


Begin forwarded message:

From: ACRM | American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine <xxxxxx@acrm.org>
Date: April 30, 2020 at 11:01:06 PM EDT
To: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org>
Subject: ACRM Breaking News
Reply-To: xxxxxx@acrm.org



PTs, OTs, and SLPs can now bill CMS for telehealth services

PTs, OTs, SLPs Can Now Bill CMS for Telehealth Services The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new waivers to add additional types of healthcare professionals who can provide “distant site” telehealth services, “including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and others.” These waivers were part of a new round of substantial regulatory and rule changes announced today aimed at enhancing “flexibility for Medicare telehealth services” in order to expand care during the current COVID-19 emergency. For full details, please see the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers.  This breaking news is brought to you by ACRM and the Pandemic Task Force. Tracey Wallace, MS, CCC-SLP Co-Chair, ACRM Technology Networking Group Co-Chair, Pandemic Task Force Speech-Language Pathologist/ Clinical Research Scientist, Shepherd Center John Dzivak Co-Chair, Pandemic Task Force Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Pt Pal CALL FOR PAPERS & POSTERS To support our healthcare heros serving on the front lines, ACRM has extended the 2020 Annual Conference Call for Proposals. Proposals for scientific papers (18-minute oral presentations) and posters will now be accepted through 12 May. LEARN MORE & SUBMIT >> EARLY BIRDS SAVE UP TO 40% THROUGH 15 MAY ACRM Conference: Progress in Rehabilitation Research Core Conference: 21-24 OCT 2020  Pre-Conference: 19-21 OCT 2020 CALL FOR PROPOSALS EXHIBITING & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONNECT! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES You are receiving this email because you are a valued ACRM member or you have expressed interest in ACRM or in its scientific journal, the Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. If you no longer wish to receive these emails from ACRM, please CLICK HERE to change your ACRM email preferences. Clicking Unsubscribe BELOW will remove you from all ACRM email lists.

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Lisa M. Bruening Director of Care Services The ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter xxxxxx@alsaohio.org 440-399-7096 (mobile, voice and text) alsaohio.org 6155 Rockside Road, Suite 403 Independence, OH 44131

*Due to precautions being taken nationwide to limit exposure to COVID-19, all Chapter staff will be working remotely for the foreseeable future. To reach a member of our team by phone,visit:

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We remain committed to providing our programs and services in this remote environment to support those living with ALS and their families.