Practice Resources
Information from APA on COVID-19 and its impact on professional practice.
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.
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.
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.
APA ensures psychologists have access to PPE through Amazon
June 19, 2020
Following talks between APA and Amazon leadership, Amazon quickly made resources available to all licensed psychologists.
New, shorter application form now available for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 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.
June 10, 2020
Psychologists participating in state Medicaid and CHIP programs—that have not received payment under the general distribution to Medicare providers made earlier this year—may be eligible to receive relief funds.
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 for psychological services provided during the COVID-19 public health emergency
May 6, 2020
Sample CMS-1500 forms with case examples for Medicare beneficiaries.
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.
Billing and Regulatory Issues
- Commercial insurers’ policies for extended telehealth coverage
- 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 to provide telehealth to older adults
- 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 resume 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
- 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
- How to help vulnerable populations now
- Combating bias and stigma related to COVID-19
- Psychologists’ advice for newly remote workers
Telepsychology and Telehealth
Educators and Students
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.
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.