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.
Business of practice
HHS extends COVID-19 national public health emergency declaration through Oct. 23, 2020
July 27, 2020
The extension will impact coverage for many providers.
Business of practice
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.
Resources for Practice
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.
Business of practice
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.
Business of practice
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.
Resources for practice
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 update
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.
Billing Update
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 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
