AOTA Calls for Choosing Wisely Recommendations 

9/16/2020

What is Choosing Wisely?

Choosing Wisely is an initiative of the  American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation that seeks
to advance a national dialogue on avoiding unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures.
 The mission of Choosing Wisely is to promote conversations between clinicians and patients by
helping patients choose care that is:

• Supported by evidence
• Not duplicative of other tests or procedures already received
• Free from harm 
• Truly necessary

Beginning in 2012, national organizations representing medical specialists have asked their
members to identify tests or procedures commonly used in their field whose necessity
should be questioned and discussed. Nearly 80 clinical organizations work with the 
American Board of Internal Medicine to create recommendations for the public. For
a full list of Specialty Society Partners, click here. 

AOTA is a proud partner in the Choosing Wisely Initiative

In providing best practice, AOTA is seeking member input to update their Choosing
Wisely recommendations. They are asking members to provide input through their
 Choosing Wisely Recommendations Survey, which needs to be filled out by
 September 27, 2020. As an incentive you can elect to enter a drawing for a free
year of AOTA membership. For more information on AOTA's involvement in the
initiative, along with resources to support your practice, visit the
 AOTA Choosing Wisely page.
Many thanks to Helene Smith-Gabai, Ph.D., OTR/L, BCPR, GOTA RA
Representative to the AOTA for providing this update. 

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GOTA 2020 Virtual Conference T-shirt Sale Begins!

9/9/2020

The GOTA launched a Cafe Press page to manage 2020 Virtual Conference T-shirt sales.

Multiple designs & colors available. Click the link below to order. 

Click here to order. 

 

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GOTA Virtual Conference

8/31/2020

Follow the link below for program & registration details.

Click here for information on the 2020 Conference. 

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AOTA Representative Assembly Seeks:

Members for Ad-Hoc Committees

7/24/2020

As a result of business approved during the May 2020 meeting series, the RA is seeking members for the following

ad hocs:

Call for Dry Needling Task Force Applicants: July 31 Deadline

Call for Mentorship Task Force Applicants: July 31 Deadline

Please encourage members and colleagues in your state to apply who may meet the criteria outlined by

sharing the links above.

Benjamin J Gross OTR/L

[email protected]

Vice Chairperson of the Affiliated State Association Presidents 

Representative Assembly State Presidents' Voting Proxy

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Response to Racial Discrimination & Violence

Georgia Occupational Therapy Association

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Keep Your Community Safe

 

With the onset of COVID-19 the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association encourages members to
closely follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines. Until further notice, the GOTA
encourages members to engage in meetings and with fellow members virtually.

In line with the CDC, the GOTA recognizes that “for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being
exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in
most communities in the United States.” 

The GOTA is doing its part to lessen the spread and impact of the virus by encouraging regional leaders,
members, and the community to follow the CDC’s guidelines to:

• Practice good hygiene
• Be careful with meetings and travel
• Handle food carefully
• Stay home if you are sick or someone in the home is sick

Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage for the most up-to-date
information and to share educational materials with your workplace and community. 

We look forward to engaging with members virtually via internet conferencing, our webpage,
and via the GOTA YouTube channel.

 

The Georgia Occupational Therapy Association Board

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GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH APPROVES

MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

SERVICES VIA TELEHEALTH

 
The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted an issue that GOTA was 
already addressing.  Specifically, GOTA has  received clarification from the Georgia Department
of Community Health (DCH) that that occupational therapists will be able to bill for telehealth
services provided under the Medicaid Children’s Intervention Services (CIS) program. 

In line with GOTA’s advocacy efforts, GOTA applauds the DCH's decision to waive certain policies
related to the use of telehealth in diagnosis and treatment. This is in response to the viral
pandemic and to provide continuity of services and treatment with reduced risk of exposure
to Medicaid/PeachCare for Kids members and providers. Please see attached document.
 
DCH is currently in the process of making adjustments, including the codes to be allowed,
in the Georgia Medicaid Management Information system (GAMMIS ) at this time so that the
therapy providers can submit claims for services. DCH has especially emphasized that
providers MUST comply with the billing rules for Telehealth. and must include the
appropriate Place of Service code and/or the appropriate modifiers (e.g., GT). 
 
DCH is reviewing all categories of service codes to identify additional codes that
can be included in telehealth reimbursement.  MMIS will be modified to include new codes
following DCH review.  We will post additional information as needed. If you have questions
related to telehealth/telemedicine, please contact the DXC Technology Provider Contact
Center at 1-800-766-4456 and/or your assigned Provider DXC Representative.
 
Providers may locate the Telehealth Guidance manual by accessing the following
link:  www.mmis.georgia.gov.  Select the “Provider Information” tab, then select
“Provider Manuals.”  Scroll down to locate the Telehealth/Telemedicine manual.
 
GOTA also reminds OTs that the Georgia Telehealth Act has recently gone into effect, and
occupational therapy provided via telehealth is included as a covered service.   
 
In addition, GOTA is creating a resource center to equip you with information and
guidance related to occupational therapy and Telehealth. We will be updating this
information on GOTA webpage www.gaota.com  as information becomes available.
Provider Messages-Telemedicine.pdf

Aileen Deogracias, OTR/L

Georgia Occupational Therapy Association

Regulatory & Reimbursement Committee Chair

[email protected]

New to the profession or to GOTA? If you are a first time GOTA member join NOW to receive your first year of
membership for only $45. Please follow the link below to join.

GOTA Membership Application

*Please note this special is only for 2019*