Aetna has announced that beginning December 1, 2023, they will implement the 15% Billing Reduction for services provided by Physical Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistants.
The Billing Reduction will apply to Aetna's commercial and Medicare businesses. Aetna will require the use of the CO and CQ modifiers to signify services furnished in whole or in part by an OTA (use the CO modifier) or a PTA (use the CQ modifier).
This Billing Reduction change was first adopted by Medicare in 2022 which was required by law through the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act.