Practice Resources

In Response to COVID-19

Information from APA on COVID-19 and its impact on professional practice.

Developments for practicing psychologists in response to COVID-19

Government, industry, and public responses to the coronavirus crisis changed rapidly during the pandemic. Here you will find advocacy updates, reimbursement and licensing/regulatory guidance, and other information to help navigate the public health emergency.

woman on a mobile phone
Business of practice

Audio-only telehealth: How to maintain privacy and security

July 5, 2022
A new resource from the Department of Health and Human Services helps providers comply with HIPAA while providing audio-only services.
Masked woman holding clipboard
Business of practice

Recent changes in CMS guidance for telehealth regarding the in-person visit requirement and place of service codes

February 8, 2022
New rules reflect a forward-looking framework but may cause some confusion in the context of the temporary rules created for the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Woman conducting a telehealth session
Business of practice

Telehealth practice in 2022: CMS expands coverage and access

December 3, 2021
In the final rule on the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee schedule, CMS agreed with APA’s request that the agency allow psychologists to provide audio-only services to more patients.
woman looking at laptop computer
Business of practice

CMS addresses telehealth and supervision of testing in 2021 fee schedule final rule

December 22, 2020
Rule addresses the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency and whether certain nonphysician providers can supervise testing services
Woman looking at her computer

Is it legal to treat clients in another state?

October 15, 2020
Legally providing telehealth to patients who are going to college or quarantining in another state can be tricky. Here’s what you need to know.
Medical personnel in full PPE equipment checking a drivers temperature
Resources for practice

COVID-19: Ensuring psychologists, front-line essential workers, and vulnerable communities have access to the vaccine

December 11, 2020
APA is working with states to advocate that psychologists who provide in-person services remain among the high-priority health care providers to receive the covid-19 vaccine during its initial release.
index-fee-schedule
Business of practice

CMS adopts deep Medicare fee schedule cuts for 2021

December 4, 2020
Newly announced Final Rule includes a 10.2% cut in the conversion factor used to calculate provider payments.
Elderly woman with headphones looks her computer

How to provide telehealth to older adults

August 13, 2020
Follow these tips to address perceived barriers and provide optimal telehealth to older adults.
Relief for clinicians participating in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System
Business of practice

Relief for clinicians participating in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)

June 26, 2020
Psychologists significantly impacted by the public health emergency may apply to reweight MIPS performance categories for 2020.
New, shorter application form now available for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness
Business of practice

New, shorter application form now available for Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness

June 17, 2020
Psychologists wishing to apply for PPP loan forgiveness may now be able to do so using fewer calculations and less documentation.
Resources for practice

Sample informed consent form for resuming in-person services

May 7, 2020
Psychologists transitioning back to face-to-face services may wish to protect their practice through informed consent.
Billing update

Billing for psychological services provided during the COVID-19 public health emergency

May 6, 2020
Sample CMS-1500 forms with case examples for Medicare beneficiaries.
Billing Update

Phone only telehealth services for Medicare during COVID-19

May 1, 2020
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expands telehealth coverage to allow most psychology services to be provided by telephone without video.
Business of practice

Additional funding available through Medicare provider relief fund

April 29, 2020
Eligible psychologists and practices can receive further payment under the CARES Act
Business of practice

Medicare provider relief fund

April 10, 2020
Eligible psychologists and practices to begin receiving payment under the CARES Act.
Neuropsychological and psychological testing during COVID-19
Resources for Practice

Neuropsychological and psychological testing during COVID-19

April 8, 2020
Billing and other guidance for psychologists who provide psychological and neuropsychological testing services.
Billing update

Medicare telehealth billing update

April 6, 2020
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers new instructions on place of service billing for telehealth.
Billing update

New phone-only billing codes

April 3, 2020
The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services grants access to new codes for psychologists to use for services delivered via telephones without video.
Billing update

Further expansion of telehealth coverage for Medicare recipients

March 31, 2020
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' revised billing rules reflect many of APA’s recommendations.
What to do if ...
Resources for practice

What to do if ...

March 27, 2020
Answers to recent COVID-19-inspired questions.
Helping each other and the profession
Welcome

Helping each other and the profession

March 27, 2020
Welcome to the psychology practice information hub. We created this site to be the source of fact-checked information about the profession in real-time during the Covid-19 crisis.

COVID-19 resources

collage of photos showing woman getting vaccinated, woman wearing a face mask and using hand sanitizer, and young boy going to school wearing a face mask
APA COVID-19 information and resources for psychologists, health care workers, and the public

Last updated: June 2024Date created: March 2020