CRT Stakeholders and Friends,

The availability of telehealth can play a critical role in the provision of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) when it presents the best option for the person. Thankfully, the telehealth option remains available during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). However, unless Congress and CMS take action that will end when the PHE ends.

From the CRT perspective, our priority is ensuring Physical Therapists (PTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs) retain the option to provide telehealth services. Here are two actions you can take to help ensure this happens:

1.)  Email Congress- We need to be sure the CRT voice is included in Congressional discussions and your Members must hear from you on this issue. Use the link at www.protectmymobility.org to let them know you need their support. The email will explain the important role PT and OT telehealth can play and highlight the need to include the “Expanded Telehealth Access Act” (H.R. 2168) in legislation to be passed.

2.)  Complete Telehealth Survey- Our National CRT Remote Services Consortium is gathering updated data and examples that we can use to educate Congress and other policy makers. These folks need to hear real-life examples of how PT and OT telehealth has been a benefit to people with disabilities who use CRT so they understand the need to designate PTs and OTs as permanent telehealth practitioners. As part of this effort, the Clinician Task Force has developed a survey. If you are a clinician, provider, or manufacturer who has experience with telehealth in the CRT provision process we ask you complete the Telehealth Examples Survey here.

Ensuring there is a permanent PT/OT telehealth option after the PHE expires is important to protect continued access to CRT for people with disabilities. Thanks for sending your emails and completing the survey if you have some things to share. 

Regards,

Donald E. Clayback
Executive Director | NCART
716-839-9728 | www.ncart.us