Telehealth
Licensing: During the pandemic most states suspended their licensing requirements meaning a provider could practice telehealth across state lines without being licensed in the other state. States did this so people could have continuity of care as well as access to care. Since COVID is decreasing, many states have discontinued this practice so providers now have to follow licensing laws in each state. This means a provider may not be able to engage in telehealth services if the patient is in a state they do not hold a license in. As a general rule, therapy services occur in the location of the patient so if a patient is in Florida, the provider needs to be licensed in Florida as an example.
Insurance: During the pandemic, insurance companies altered their policy on telehealth with most of them allowing telehealth services and reimbursing them at the same rate as in person sessions. Since COVID is decreasing, some insurance companies have gone back to their previous practice of not covering telehealth at all or covering it at a lower rate. It is important to check to see if your insurance company has altered their practice for telehealth services. Check with your provider to see if telehealth services are still available.