{"id":21066,"date":"2020-03-24T17:50:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T22:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osteopathic.org\/?page_id=21066"},"modified":"2020-04-24T18:06:59","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T23:06:59","slug":"covid-19-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/osteopathic.org\/practicing-medicine\/providing-care\/covid-19-resources\/covid-19-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated April 24, 2020<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Personal protective equipment (PPE)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Q: We are unable to find masks, gowns and sanitizer. What can the AOA do to help us secure these products?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

To assist the osteopathic community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AOA has reached an exclusive agreement with NEXVOO to provide AOA members with a special discount on FDA-certified KN95 and 3-ply surgical masks. Reduced pricing is available for purchase of KN95 masks in quantities of 100 or 1,000 and for 3-ply masks in quantities of 1,000. Orders in these quantities may also be bundled for greater savings.\u00a0Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also encouraging physicians to tell their members of Congress to <\/a>act now<\/span><\/a> to ensure access for physicians to adequate PPE<\/span>, and to share how COVID-19 is impacting their ability to care for their patients via email and\/or Twitter<\/span><\/a>. In addition, please use and share these tools to keep track of COVID-19 federal<\/span><\/span> and state<\/span><\/a> legislative activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

OMT\/OMM<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Q: Can OMT\/OMM be used as a treatment for patients with COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The AOA partnered with the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) to offer an online learning activity to help you review applicable OMM techniques for optimizing pulmonary function in COVID-19 or suspected\u00a0 COVID-19 patients.\u00a0 The e-Learning module, titled \u201cOsteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Techniques Addressing Respiratory Symptoms of COVID-19\u201d will provide a refresher in applicable OMM techniques. Free for all members and non-members, the patient-centered CME will offer 1.0 AOA 1-B credit or 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Learn more and\u00a0enroll today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Q: Does insurance reimburse for the house visit and OMM\/OMT, and what are the codes?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Phone calls and telemedicine visit guidelines have been lifted for services related to COVID-19 or checking on patients. OMT being a manual modality would not be something that can be provided through the audio-visual exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as insurers reimbursing for house calls, it varies by each insurer and you would need to check your contract and fee schedule. <\/span><\/p>\n

Per the AOA Physician Services team, house call codes (99341-99345 for new patients and 99347-99350 for established patients) are found under the Home Services subsection in the Evaluation and Management section. CPT\u00ae house call codes are like office visit codes, but with two major differences: The typical face-to-face time is longer with house calls. They may only be billed when services are provided in the beneficiary’s private residence (POS 12). To bill these codes, physicians must be physically present in the beneficiary’s home.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of house calls, physicians need to document that the home visit was medically necessary. In other words, you must present a medical \u2013 rather than practical \u2013 reason for visiting a patient outside the office. Here are a few other considerations to keep in mind when you bill for a house call:<\/span><\/p>\n