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COVID-19 Telehealth Guidance for CLASS Professional and Specialized Therapies

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The following Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) professional and specialized therapy services are extended through July 31 and are temporarily available by telehealth.

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech and language pathology
  • Recreational therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Behavior support
  • Dietary services
  • Cognitive rehabilitation therapy

This became effective March 15, 2020. It extends through July 31, 2021 unless the federal public health emergency ends sooner. HHSC will update if there are changes.

The Office of Civil Rights has relaxed HIPAA requirements to allow video for telehealth services. Texas Medicaid recognizes OCR's HIPAA enforcement discretion for telehealth platform requirements.

Therapies must have a treatment plan. The goals and outcomes must support being provided through telehealth. Revision of therapy hours may be added to an individual plan of care (IPC) and authorized by HHSC per the process outlined in IL 2020-46 (PDF).

Acceptable telehealth formats are synchronous audiovisual interaction or asynchronous store and forward technology. Use these with synchronous audio interaction between the client and the distant site provider.

Therapies not eligible for delivery by telehealth are:

  • Massage therapy
  • Hippotherapy
  • Therapeutic horseback riding
  • Aquatic therapy

Email your program policy mailbox with questions.