Latest developments for practicing psychologists in response to COVID-19
Government, industry and public responses to the coronavirus crisis are changing rapidly. APA presents an information hub specifically for psychology practice resources in response to COVID-19. Here you will find the latest advocacy updates, reimbursement and licensing/regulatory guidance and other information to help navigate the public health emergency.
Medicare Fee-for-Service claims: 2% payment adjustment suspended through 2021
April 16, 2021
Newly passed legislation continues payment reduction suspension for Medicare providers.
Biden administration signals likely extension of Public Health Emergency through the end of 2021
February 1, 2021
Extending the public health emergency will allow the Medicare telehealth waivers to continue throughout the year.
January 14, 2021
Proposed reductions to reimbursement have been decreased and the public health emergency has been extended.
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
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.
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.
October 29, 2020
All behavioral health professionals are eligible for the third phase of pandemic assistance for health care providers—deadline to apply is November 6, 2020.
HHS extends COVID-19 national public health emergency declaration through January 21, 2021
October 16, 2020
Because many coverage policies are tied to the national emergency declaration, this will impact claims, particularly for telehealth treatment.
HHS extends COVID-19 national public health emergency declaration through October 23, 2020
July 27, 2020
The extension will impact coverage for many providers.
Billing and Regulatory Issues
- State-based commercial insurers’ COVID-19 telehealth policies
- Telehealth guidance by state during COVID-19
- APA supports permanent expansion of Medicare coverage of mental health services furnished via telehealth
- Temporary changes to federal Medicare telehealth policies
- APA calls for comprehensive telehealth coverage
Professional Practice Issues
- How APA is helping COVID’s overlooked populations
- How APA Services is working for you during the COVID-19 crisis
- Provider well-being in a pandemic (PDF, 493KB)
- COVID-19: When is it OK to provide more in-person services?
- Answers to practicing psychologists’ latest questions about providing telehealth services
- COVID-19 and psychology services: How to protect your patients and your practice
- Four pieces of ethical advice for practitioners during COVID-19
- Self-care advice for health-care providers during COVID-19
COVID-19 Information and Resources from APA
- Are crisis lines meeting new mental health needs?
- Supporting K-12 students in response to COVID-19
- June 2020 Monitor on Psychology: Special report on the COVID-19 pandemic
- As COVID-19 cases increase, so does trauma among health providers
- Treating anxiety and stress in front-line workers: A step-by-step CBT guide
- How psychologists are helping America cope with the new normal
- Supporting employee mental health when reopening the workplace
- Treating front-line workers: A step-by-step guide
- How psychologists can combat the racial inequities of the COVID-19 crisis
- COVID-19 heightens the need to end health disparities
- Psychologists rush to help health-care professionals
Telepsychology and Telehealth
Educators and Students
How COVID-19 is changing psychology education
The pandemic and resulting economic downturn are affecting psychology education at every level.
Advocating for psychology students and borrowers impacted by COVID-19
APA has endorsed legislation that aims to lower the cost of federal student loans and make education more affordable for many doctoral psychology students.
Rethinking course policies and deadlines in the time of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has moved education online for most students. Psychologists are offering ways to maximize that shift.
Grad students navigate the unknown
The coronavirus pandemic is undermining education and training for thousands of psychology students. Here’s how they are coping.
Preparing to defend your thesis from home
Many schools and programs are allowing remote defenses—meaning you could find yourself defending from your living room. Learn how to prepare yourself for this possibility.
Coping with COVID-19-related stress as a student
Whether you’re a graduate student or an undergrad, you’re probably feeling anxious, sad and uncertain. These feelings are normal. And there are ways to lessen your stress.
Free unit lesson plans for high school teachers of psychology
APA is offering complimentary unit lesson plans to high school psychology teachers to support teachers adapting to school changes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Researchers
New guidance for protecting research participants
Ensuring safety during the COVID-19 pandemic means reducing building occupancy, spreading out in labs, and more.
Managing your grants and research during COVID 19
Measures federal agencies are taking to help researchers navigate through a variety of issues.
Researchers mobilize to study impact of COVID-19
Psychologists are shifting focus and obtaining funding to study the mental health and behavioral science aspects of the pandemic.
Funding emerges to study the psychological impact of COVID-19
Federal agencies and other funders invite research proposals related to the pandemic.
COVID-19 relevant calls for papers from APA Journals
View a list of journals soliciting manuscripts for articles, special sections, and special issues related to COVID-19.
Conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advice from psychological researchers on protecting participants, animals, and research plans.
COVID-19 free articles from APA Journals
As communities around the world respond to COVID-19, psychologists across the breadth of the field are providing critical guidance and support.
Seven crucial research findings that can help people deal with COVID-19
Psychological research on past crises can help people cope with the daily—sometimes hourly—newsflashes about the coronavirus.