PHYSICAL THERAPY; EXPAND SCOPE OF PRACTICE S.B. 668 (S-2):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 668 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 178 (Physical Therapy) of the Public Health Code to do the following:
-- Modify the scope of the practice of physical therapy to include examining, evaluating, and testing an individual with a mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairment, a functional limitation, or a disability or other health movement-related condition to determine the cause of the physical therapy problem to be treated.
-- Specify that the practice of physical therapy would not include the practices of medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, and a medical diagnosis or diagnosis of a health condition if the diagnosis fell outside the scope of practice of physical therapy.
-- Delete language limiting the length of time and purposes that a physical therapist may practice on a patient who does not have a prescription from another medical professional.
-- Require a physical therapist to refer a patient to a healthcare professional if the patient did not show reasonable response to treatment within 60 days of initiating care or if other health complications occurred during treatment.
-- Require a physical therapist to inform a healthcare professional of the plan for care if the patient initially identified a primary health care professional.
-- Specify that a third-party payer could require a member or enrollee to fulfill benefits requirements for physical therapy services including a medical differential diagnosis to demonstrate medical necessity and preapproval.
-- Require a physical therapist who treated a patient without a referral to inform the patient of the potential financial liability for receiving physical therapy services without a referral.
The bill would take effect 180 days after enactment.
BRIEF RATIONALE
Removing the requirement for physical therapy patients to receive a referral to access care would improve patient outcomes in Michigan. According to testimony, Michigan s current restrictions on direct access to physical therapy are among the most restrictive in the country, and there is no evidence that requiring referrals helps increase patient safety. The bill should be passed to allow Michigan residents to access care directly from a physical therapist.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 10-14-24 Fiscal Analyst: Nathan Leaman
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.