Hello Texas PT's and PTA's,
As you are acutely aware, Texas and the nation are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions it has caused to our daily lives, workplaces, and communities.  The TPTA staff office is closed indefinitely, but staff are working from home answering calls and emails that continue to arise in this fluid situation.  Many of you have reached out with questions regarding clinical best practices, Telehealth, and other topics.  The APTA webpage www.apta.org/coronavirus is the best source of up-to-date information as it pertains to our profession.  Telehealth is legal in Texas (see page 8 of the PT Rules for the specific language of the law: https://www.ptot.texas.gov/idl/C63E31BF-6000-2402-6758-EC11F1479F47), however, whether it is covered by insurance varies based on provider agreements.  There is emergency legislation in Congress to urge them to consider covering Telehealth for PT providers for Medicare (see https://www.votervoice.net/APTA/Campaigns/72525/Respond to send a message to your elected federal representatives).  We will continue to communicate any changes to payment policy for physical therapy resulting from this pandemic as we get them.
Most of all, during this trying time, I ask you to please look out for each other.  Some of our profession's most admirable and distinguishing characteristics are compassion, caring, and altruism.  Reach out to your fellow PT and PTA colleagues to find out how to help them navigate this trying time.  Check in on your neighbors to see if they need anything from you, especially the elderly who are most vulnerable.  And most of all, take time out to tell your friends and family how much they mean to you, and during this time of forced social-distancing, remember that we are all stronger together. 
Mike Geelhoed
President, Texas Physical Therapy Association