Payment Updates
APTA Maryland members benefit from expert analyses of changing payment legislation and regulations, and guidance on processing payments successfully. The APTA Maryland and our Director for Reimbursement oversees activities or policies that can enhance the position of physical therapists in the current or in future payment environments. New in 2025, APTAMD will be hiring a payment specialist to assist in our efforts to address proper payment of services at the legislative and regulatory levels.
APTA Maryland Reimbursement Committees Meets 3rd Thursdays 8:00 pm
- Looks at trends to identify issues across insurance companies for potential advocacy, legislative or regulatory action.
- Addresses relevant issues and trends in the current environment (state and national) affecting payment of physical therapy.
- Identifies potential changes/evolution in the payment environment and recommend techniques, positions or policies to address these changes and to promote changes that will benefit physical therapists and physical therapy assistants.
- Identifies and addresses risk management considerations of changes in payment regulation and provide advice and recommendations to the Board of Directors and Chapter Office staff regarding risk management implications and changes in payment regulation. >>>More Information
News and Updates
Extending to June 30, 2025, the inclusion of certain audio-only telephone conversations under the definition of “telehealth” for the purpose of certain provisions of law relating to reimbursement and coverage of telehealth by the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations; requiring the Maryland Medical Health Care Commission to study and make recommendations regarding the delivery of health care services through telehealth by December 1, 2024; etc. APTAMD will be monitoring and providing testimony to support the continuation of:
- Payment parity
- Allowing the patient to be at home and not a regulated health setting to receive telehealth services.
- Impact on patient choice
At issue: credentialing can take up to 120 days by Maryland Law while federal plans take an estimated 2-4 weeks. Systems and software exist that allow for greater efficiency and timeliness.
Insurers are also stating that PT/As that are practicing under a temporary license cannot bill for services even with a supervising PT signature.
Impact: Delays getting new providers credentialed and being able to bill for those with a temporary license impact patients getting appointments, and postponing potentially critical diagnoses and treatment. In addition, providers taking on an excess workload while waiting for new staff to be credentialed increases the risk for burnout.
What's New in Payment - Opt In for APTA's Friday Focus
APTA members can opt in to receive any of four monthly electronic newsletters each with a different focus:
- Payment: Payment trends, initiatives, legislation/regulation, and other related issues. Typically delivers the fourth Friday of every month
- Professional Issues: Topics of concern to PTs and PTAs related to their careers and the state of the profession, including career development, ethics, practice management, licensure, and peer review. Typically delivers the first Friday of every month.
- Evidence & Care: Physical therapy evidence and research related to patient care and health services. Typically delivers the second Friday of every month.
- APTA & You: A focus on association and member issues. Typically delivers the third Friday of every month.
