TO: Hospitals
and Physical Therapists
In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Medicaid
is temporarily allowing covered physical therapy to be performed via
telemedicine. This allowance should only be used for medically necessary
services that can be appropriately delivered in a secure, confidential location.
The therapy provider and recipient/caregiver must use an interactive
audio/video telecommunications system.
Alabama Medicaid expects the provider to document in the medical record
the reason for utilizing telemedicine during the COVID-19 emergency.
Beginning on April 7, 2020, providers may submit claims for dates of
service March 16, 2020, through April 16, 2020. The dates may be extended
depending on the length of the emergency. Providers may continue to see error
codes on their remittance advices with claims payment during the COVID-19
emergency.
Providers should submit claim type UB04 or CMS 1500 with Place of Service
Code ‘02’ Telemedicine, modifier of ‘CR’ for catastrophic/disaster to assist
with claims tracking.
For a listing of
covered procedure codes, visit https://medicaid.alabama.gov/content/Gated/7.6.1G_Provider_Manuals/7.6.1.2G_Apr2020/Apr20_37.pdf
for the Provider Billing Manual. Please
note, this list could be revised as needed.
During the COVID-19 emergency, it is important to file claims as quickly
as possible to ensure payment from Medicaid is made to Medicaid providers close
to the date of service. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
has increased the federal matching percentage for the emergency time frame, but
states can only receive the increased match on claims that are paid during the
emergency.
Contacts:
Billing questions, please call the provider assistance center at (800)
688 7989.
Policy
questions, please email beverly.churchwell@medicaid.alabama.gov,
elizabeth.huckabee@medicaid.alabama.gov,
or solomon.williams@medicaid.alabama.gov.