Dear PCA Member,
As we continue to learn new information daily about COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to keep you updated about how it impacts PA counselors and the clients we serve.
On March 18, 2020, Governor Wolf announced that health care professionals licensed under any of the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) licensing boards can provide services to patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency. Governor Wolf also granted the department’s request for a suspension to allow licensed practitioners in other states to provide services to Pennsylvanians via the use of telemedicine, without obtaining a Pennsylvania license, for the duration of the emergency.
For more information please click on the link below.
In addition, on March 15, 2020, the PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) put out a memo regarding Telehealth for certain licensed providers, including LPCs.
OMHSAS is lifting some of the previous restrictions regarding Telehealth for Medicaid providers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have attached the OMHSAS memos and directions for your information and convenience. If you have questions about this, please contact OMHSAS at 717-772-7900.
We continue to encourage all LPCs who are not being reimbursed for Telehealth services especially in the wake of the COVID- 19 pandemic, to consider the following advocacy action steps:
1. Contact your insurance provider representative and ask what the protocol is for a crisis such as a pandemic. Does that change anything in your contract for Telehealth coverage? Ask your clients to call their Member Services line to ask as well.
2. Contact your Liability Insurance Carrier. Many have staff attorneys that offer legal advice to clinicians for this type of issue.
In addition, listed below are links to resources and information about the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus):
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
We hope you all continue to stay safe and take care.
Sincerely,
Nellie
Nellie Scanlon, M.Ed., NCC, LPC, ACS
President 2019-2020
Pennsylvania Counseling Association