Welcome to APTA Pennsylvania, a chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

APTA Pennsylvania is a chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and represents more than 5,700 dedicated physical therapy professionals and students across the Commonwealth. With educational opportunities, networking, and resources for the PT professional, APTA Pennsylvania is committed to fostering advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education for its members and its community.

IMPORTANT ALERT!  Federal Public Health Emergency Renewed!

FROM APTA:  Biden Signals Health Emergency Will End May 11

“According to multiple news outlets, President Joe Biden has told Congress that the administration will end the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, more than three years after the first PHE was declared. For PTs and PTAs, the most notable feature of the PHE — the ability to participate in delivery of services via telehealth under Medicare — won't change dramatically in light of legislative changes that continue that allowance through Dec. 31, 2024.”

 Previously, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, renewed the public health emergency COVID-19: Renewal of Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists (hhs.gov) for an additional 90 days, effective January 11, 2023 through  April 11, 2023.

APTA has issued a caution regarding implications for physical therapy practice Health Emergency Extended into January 2023, Raising Questions

Pennsylvania Telehealth Waiver Status:

The Pennsylvania Waiver "Licensed Health Care Practitioners providing Telemedicine Services” officially expired on October 31, 2022.

Telehealth as a Method of Practice:

November 1, 2022
IMPORTANT STATEMENT FROM THE PA DEPARTMENT OF STATE COVID-19 Suspensions (pa.gov)

 “… for expiring waivers that relate to telemedicine, individuals are advised to consult the Telemedicine in Pennsylvania FAQs.  In general, from a professional licensing standpoint, the expiration of telemedicine-related waivers will not affect the use of telemedicine.  It will continue to be allowable in the same way it was allowable prior to the pandemic.”

Please read the full report from the Department of State regarding the suspensions of the COVID-19 waivers and the FAQs detailing information about the status of telehealth as a method of practice at the above links.

For additional information on Telehealth, please see the Practice and Research Committee (aptapa.org) webpage.  We will continue to monitor Pennsylvania.gov and other pertinent websites and will inform you of any new information as it becomes known.