ILOTA Resource Guide

January 2021

ILOTA recognizes the impact of Covid-19 (coronavirus) on individuals, families, the nation, and our world as we all adapt to these uncertain times. OT Practitioners across the state of Illinois have all been challenged to remain healthy and ensure safe practices to prevent further community spread. As many of you have worked in various sectors or continue to be on the front lines, the influx of executive orders at the local, state, and national level can cause confusion as to what steps to take next. Of the utmost importance is to ensure your safety and that of your family, while following orders to reduce and prevent community spread.

General COVID Information

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Recommendations

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IHFS)

Illinois.gov Executive Orders

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

AOTA COVID-19 Resources

Medicare

Licensure

Illinois Department of Professional Regulation has extended the license waiver for out of state OT/OTAs until May 31, 2021.  In response to COVID-19, OT practitioners with a valid license in another state can provide services in Illinois without an Illinois license.

Vaccination

Hospital affiliated OT practitioners can receive the vaccine through their hospital employer.  IDPH is distributing vaccines to Regional Hospital Coordinating Centers partners. From there, the distribution for non-hospital affiliated practitioners will continue through local health departments. Non-hospital based practitioners can coordinate with employers to schedule vaccinations.

Chicago set up a system for employers to submit requests for vaccinations for health care employees via this survey: https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=ACPA48C878

Cook County has issued a survey for non-hospital-based healthcare workers to sign up for the vaccine. This would include OTs working in home health, private practice, etc., that are within suburban Cook County and not affiliated with a hospital. The link: https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=PP8PJNFHMW   

Telehealth

Telehealth Resources for Illinois Occupational Therapy Practitioners developed by Kim Parr

IL OT Telehealth Billing & Reimbursement Guide developed by Ashley Stoffel

IL Pediatric OT and Telehealth Resources developed by Ashley Stoffel and Lauren Little 

Medicare Learning Network released this video that is helpful in explaining Medicare telehealth services.  

CMS Update 4/14/20:   “If you are offering telehealth services as part of the Public Health Emergency,(PHE) those claims should be submitted with the Point Of Service (POS) from where the face-to-face service is normally performed (e.g., office POS 11, hospital POS 21) and include modifier 95 to identify this as a telehealth service during the PHE; this is the preferred method for submission.
If you are offering telehealth services as you would under normal circumstances, you may continue to bill your POS as 02 and include modifier 95 to identify that the service was provided during the PHE; which will be paid at the facility fee schedule rate.
For more information, please review NGS Telehealth Billing FAQs for COVID-19.

IDPR Update 4/3/2020: On 4/3/20 ILOTA has received information from IDFPR Assistant General Counsel Janel Haretoun that Executive Order 2020-09, Telehealth, applies equally to OTAs and OTs

AOTA telehealth resources

Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHPCA)

MEDICARE provides a guide to offering telemedicine services for healthcare providers

US Department of Health and Human Services indicates that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)will exercise enforcement discretion and waive penalties for violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. Where possible, you should consider those platforms that are HIPAA compliant.

Telehealth Reimbursement Information:

  • Contact the health plan(s) directly to inquire about their telemedicine requirements, as well as reimbursement procedures and rates
  • Information on Specific Private Insurance

Medicaid

  • Medicaid does not reimburse for the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of telecommunication devices or systems

Department of Education

USDOE corona related information

Webinar on On-line Learning and Website Accessibility

Unemployment and Small Business

AOTA COVID-19 related changes to unemployment

Small Business Association

Illinois Department of Commerce:  Emergency Small Business Loans and Assistance  

Student Loans

studentaid.gov

US Department of Education

Practice Resources

          Telehealth Intervention Resources:

Aquatic Therapy

As Federal government, states, and local authorities determine appropriate guidelines for pool usage, aquatic therapy must abide by the standards set by the CDC on their website and adapt these recommendations to aquatic therapy. The CDC coronavirus website states that “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID_19 can be spread to people through pools, …when “Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine or bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.” Every setting and locality will be different.  Education is a key requirement in your area and one should be checking with the mayor, governor, and Federal Gov.

Managing Stress

  • The World Health Organization produced Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide , a stress management guide for coping with adversity. The guide aims to equip people with practical skills to help cope with stress. A few minutes each day are enough to practice the self-help techniques.