What's happening
This bill removes limits on how long patients can receive physical therapy without a referral, with certain safety and notification requirements.
Why it matters
Expands patient autonomy. by allowing individuals to access physical therapy for as long as needed without having to first obtain a referral, potentially speeding up recovery and reducing barriers to care.
Requires new patient protections. , such as mandatory written notice about possible lack of insurance coverage without a referral, helping patients make informed financial decisions about their treatment.
Imposes clinical safeguards. by obligating physical therapists to refer patients to other healthcare professionals if symptoms suggest issues outside the physical therapy scope or require a different type of care, promoting patient safety.
Mandates ongoing communication with primary providers. when a patient has a physician or other provider, fostering coordination and continuity of care across the healthcare team.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Physical Therapists Treat Directly
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Therapists Treat Without Referral
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Joseph A. Griffo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7873
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 18, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to removing limits on the duration of treatment by a licensed physical therapist when a patient does not have a referral
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision d of section 6731 of the education law, as amended by chapter 389 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
d. Such treatment may be rendered by a licensed physical therapist [for ten visits or thirty days, whichever shall occur first,] without a referral from a physician, dentist, podiatrist, nurse practitioner or licensed midwife provided that:
(1) [The licensed physical therapist has practiced physical therapy on a full time basis equivalent to not less than three years.] The physical therapist will refer the patient to the appropriate licensed professional if symptoms are present of which physical therapy is contraindicated or which symptoms are indicative of conditions for which treatment is outside the scope of the practice of physical therapy;
(2) If the patient has a primary care licensed provider or other treating physician, the physical therapist provides ongoing communication with that professional during the course of treatment; and
(3) Each physical therapist licensed pursuant to this article shall provide written notice to each patient receiving treatment absent a referral from a physician, dentist, podiatrist, nurse practitioner or licensed midwife that physical therapy may not be covered by the patient's health care plan or insurer without such a referral and that such treatment may be a covered expense if rendered pursuant to a referral. The physical therapist shall keep on file with the patient's records a form attesting to the patient's notice of such advice. Such
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11566-01-7
A. 7873 2
form shall be in duplicate, with one copy to be retained by the patient, signed and dated by both the physical therapist and the patient in such form as prescribed pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.