occupational therapy telehealth adults

Occupational Therapy Telehealth for Adults with Examples

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Examples of opportunities for telehealth in occupational therapy with adult and older adult population.

Contents Hide
1 Consultation
2 Post-Discharge
3 Mental Health
4 Software
5 Billing

Consultation

General consultation about OT services, referrals, interdisciplinary resources.

Post-Discharge

Keep in mind #1 is the client’s safety as therapist will be unable to intervene and assist. Caregivers may assist if they are competent.

Ideas for occupational therapy telehealth after discharge from Acute Care, Acute Rehab, SNF, Outpatient, VA, or Private Practice:

  • Diagnosis education
  • Video demonstrations
  • Caregiver education
  • Cognitive techniques and Safety, e.g. memory, problem-solving, planning
  • Daily routine, scheduling activities
  • Home safety and emergency management (911, fire alarm, falls)
  • Functional rehabilitation activities
  • Bed modifications, mobility
  • Functional mobility
  • 1:1 Feeding
  • Toilet routine and commode use
  • Dressing practice
  • Shower safety and routine
  • Grooming techniques
  • Cleaning and household management
  • Review disease management
  • Skincare (e.g., scar tissue massage, burns, AFO skin checks)
  • Falls prevention & modifications
  • Level of supervision, e.g. 24 hour
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Gait belt use
  • Meal-prep safety
  • Education of conditions
  • Home exercises program (HEP)
  • IADL support (groceries, chores)
  • Therapeutic breathing
  • Incentive spirometer use
  • Low vision
  • Child and pet care education
  • Body mechanics
  • Blood pressure management
  • Donning/doffing orthotics, splints
  • Self-catheterization
  • Precautions education
  • Adaptive equipment use
  • Transfer equipment
  • Environmental modifications
  • Walker, Cane, Wheelchair use
  • Community mobility and transportation
  • Energy conservation
  • Disease prevention and prophylaxis
  • Hand therapy follow-up
  • Driving referral
  • Wellness and prevention
  • Assistive technology
  • Apps and Software
  • Device use, e.g., computer keyboard, AAC communication for ALS
  • Return to work
  • Sleep hygiene
  • Ergonomics assessment
  • Fine motor skills
  • Aging in place
    • Grab bars, throw rugs, lighting, placement/positioning, entry/exit, online ordering including Rx, shopping, adaptive equipment, communication
  • Resuming leisurely activities (social isolation)
  • Compensatory techniques
  • Referrals to other services

Mental Health

  • Group Therapy
  • 1:1
  • Conditions: Stress management, Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, suicide ideation, OCD
  • Topics: Assertiveness, job coaching, leisure, social skills, role playing, ADLs/IADLs, independent living skills, mentoring, group milieu, substance use & ETOH
  • Approaches
    • CBT, DBT
    • Mindfulness
    • Behavioral
    • ACL
    • Recovery Model

Software

Billing

If the OT can work directly with a client (in-person), they can bill as they would normally and use telehealth for caregiver education with family members and friends.

  • G2061: Qualified non-physician healthcare professional online assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 5–10 minutes

  • G2062: Qualified non-physician healthcare professional online assessment and management service, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 11–20 minutes

  • G2063: Qualified non-physician qualified healthcare professional assessment and management service, for an established patient, for up to seven days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes.