What's happening
This bill allows certified physical therapist assistants to provide care under supervision in the workers' compensation system and outlines related requirements.
Why it matters
Expands access to care by allowing certified physical therapist assistants (PTAs) to provide treatment to injured workers. , which could help reduce delays and address provider shortages in the workers' compensation system.
Requires PTAs to work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists and limits their scope of practice. , ensuring that patient safety and quality standards are maintained even as the workforce delivering care is broadened.
Mandates that supervising physical therapists co-sign PTA treatment notes and that all care complies with state education law. , reinforcing accountability and clear documentation within the workers' compensation process.
Directs the regulatory board to review and potentially adjust payment codes (modifiers) based on whether a physical therapist or a PTA provided the service. , which could impact reimbursement rates and administrative processes for employers, insurers, and providers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow PT Assistants Treat Patients
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
25 Co-sponsors
- Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
- George Amedore
- Tony Avella
- John J. Bonacic
- Phil Boyle
- Neil D. Breslin
- David Carlucci
- Leroy Comrie
- John A. DeFrancisco
- Martin Malavé Dilan
- Rich Funke
- Patrick M. Gallivan
- Martin J. Golden
- Jesse Hamilton
- Timothy M. Kennedy
- Andrew J. Lanza
- William J. Larkin Jr.
- Kathleen A. Marchione
- Kevin S. Parker
- Michael H. Ranzenhofer
- Patty Ritchie
- Joseph E. Robach
- Diane J. Savino
- Toby Ann Stavisky
- David J. Valesky
History
- Substituted by A2859B
- Ordered to third reading cal.1872
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 3762b
- Amend and recommit to labor
- Print number 3762a
- Amend and recommit to labor
- Referred to labor
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 Assistants Give Therapy
Vetoed · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3762--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 26, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, ADDABBO, AMEDORE, AVELLA, BONACIC, BOYLE, BRESLIN, CARLUCCI, COMRIE, DeFRANCISCO, DILAN, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, GOLD- EN, HAMILTON, KENNEDY, LANZA, LARKIN, LATIMER, MARCHIONE, PARKER, RANZENHOFER, RITCHIE, ROBACH, SAVINO, STAVISKY, VALESKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to physical therapy care provided through the workers' compensation system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 13-b of the workers' compensation law, as amended by chapter 473 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
(d) Upon the referral which may be directive as to treatment of an authorized physician physical therapy care may be rendered by a duly licensed physical therapist or by a certified physical therapist assistant, provided that a certified physical therapist assistant shall work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist performing such patient related activities as are assigned by the supervising physical therapist pursuant to article one hundred thirty-six of the education law. Where physical therapy care is rendered records of the patient's condition and progress, together with records of instruction for treatment, if any, shall be maintained by the physical therapist and physician. Physical therapists must co-sign physical therapist assistant treatment notes. Said records shall be submitted to the chair on such forms and at such times as the chair may require. Care provided by a licensed physical therapist or a certified physical therapist assistant shall be in accordance with article one hundred thirty-six of the educa-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07797-07-7
S. 3762--B 2
tion law. The chair, in consultation with the board's medical director, shall review physical therapy service codes to determine the appropriateness of modifiers, if any, based on the practitioner rendering the service and shall implement modifiers as appropriate. A certified physical therapist assistant shall not be authorized to perform independent medical examinations.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to physical therapy care provided through the workers' compensation system
Purpose
To allow physical therapist assistants to provide care under the workers' compensation system.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 13-b of the workers' compensation law as it relates to allowing certified physical therapist assistants to provide care in the workers' compensation system. A physical therapist would be required to co-sign the physical therapy assistant treatment notes as well as provide direct, on-site supervision. The chair of the workers' compensation board shall be required to review physical therapy service codes and may implement modifiers as deemed appropriate.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Physical therapists assistants play an integral role in the delivery of physical therapy care. They practice under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist and must meet stringent educational and experience requirements in order to be licensed by the State Education Department. The vast majority of payers cover the services rendered by physical therapist assistants in recognition of the skill and value of physical therapist assistants. The Workers' Compensation Law, however does not cover physical therapy care delivered by physical therapist assistants. To correct this oversight, this bill would include physical therapy care rendered by physical therapist assistants as covered services under the Workers' Compensation System.
Legislative history
2016 - S. 2718a/A. 2116a - vetoed.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.