A Video Message From Our President
President Daily Updates
APTA RI President Michelle Collie has provided frequent updates over the last several weeks, all messages are compiled on this APTA RI website page.
Official guidance and current best practices related to COVID-19 rapidly evolve, the best places to get the most up to date information and updates are the COVID-19 pages on the APTA RI Website & the APTA Website .

Both APTA National and the RI Chapter are working hard to provide relevant guidance to membership in all positions and settings, if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to reach out by responding to this email.

Information and resources around physical therapy and COVID-19

The CARES Act signed into law on March 27 is aimed at providing relief in a wide range of areas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's what the package offers related to unemployment benefits.
Rhode Island Action Center

The CMS interim final rule adds PT codes to the list of services covered when furnished as telehealth, but it didn't expand the types of providers eligible to furnish telehealth services to include PTs, OTs, and SLPs

Advocate for additional steps to ensure patient and provider protections, including providing a long-term policy solution for increasing access to rehabilitation services via telehealth and ensuring economic stability for the health care system

The RI Responds system is used to register and credential healthcare and community volunteers who are interested in assisting when skilled individuals are most needed

The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to overwhelm hospitals and the health care system across the country and around the globe. Physical therapists can reduce the burden on the hospital and medical systems, thereby saving lives and preserving quality of life.
Student Resources

The APTA RI National Advocacy Dinner is going digital!
Join us for the first ever VIRTUAL National Advocacy [BYO] Dinner happening April 16th at 6:30pm.  Click here for more information

A Letter to Students Regarding COVID-19: APTA Student Assemly Board of Directors


Student Loans

To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment. This suspension of payments will last until Sept. 30, 2020, but you can still make payments if you choose. Borrower Q&A

Telehealth Info Session offered by APTA RI
A Telehealth "How To" seminar
April 7, 2020
7:00 PM
This virtual seminar will be lead by Dave Pavao and Julie Almeida. Michelle Collie will give a summary on Advocacy and Payment.
This is a free seminar.

Per Governor Gina Raimondo's executive order in response to COVID-19, telehealth guidelines per Rhode Island insurer

APTA Private Practice Section has compiled an extensive COVID-19 specific FAQ document with a telehealth section. Be sure to check website resources for most up to date information.

In this panel, providers across specialties will discuss how they are implementing telehealth in their clinical practices. Providers will discuss how they manage patients and deliver effective care from a distance in pediatric, neurological, women’s health, orthopedic settings. The presenters will provide insights into current practice models and the research surrounding digital care delivery. Additionally, they will explain clinical decision making in digital care delivery and traditional clinical settings to optimize outcomes. Q&A Here
Outpatient & Private Practice

The APTA Private Practice section has a page dedicated to the pandemic with a vast assortment of resources; webinars, check lists for finance, HR, telehealth, marketing, payment policy and more!


The CDC has released print resources that include '30 Days to Slow Spread', 'Stop the Spread of Germs' and more.
Acute Care

A  new set of recommendations for provision of physical therapist services related to COVID-19 in the acute hospital setting  

Webinar: Clinical Best Practices in Physical Therapy Management
Pediatric & School Based

APTA Pediatrics President Cindy Miles held a town hall and provided a summary with updated plans


Home Health

APTA Home Health Section
Coronavirus : Information for Providers

In an effort to support members during this pandemic, APTA Learning Center has opened up many free courses! Topics include Telehealth, Emergency Department, Pain Management and more!


APTA Rhode Island Evening Lecture Series: Will return in Fall 2020!
Be sure to review the APTA RI Website to for additional and up to date resources!