Direct Access to Care
Everyone knows that you can walk into a
Chiropractor’s office for treatment without
being referred by a physician or other
licensed health care professional, but did you
know you also have this freedom when it
comes to physical therapy? Thanks to
recent legislation passed in 2005 (and
initiated in the 1970’s), termed “Direct
Access,” you do not need a physician’s
prescription for the first thirty days of
physical therapy services as long as you go to
a “Direct Access-Licensed” physical therapist.
This is a right granted to better serve the
public by allowing physical therapists to serve
as an alternate route of entry into health
care.
Direct access to physical therapy services also
saves money for the patient and for the
insurance companies by eliminating
unnecessary visits to physician’s offices when
the purpose is solely to obtain a
prescription. It also benefits the public by
allowing for more timely identification and
treatment of health problems and it has
been demonstrated to minimize the
necessity of long term care.
The state of Pennsylvania is clearly on board
with this, but are the health insurance
companies going to pay for services not
prescribed by a physician? Most insurance
companies will pay for these services. It
varies with each company, but a majority of
them DO cover it. The main exception is
Everyone knows that you can walk into a
Chiropractor’s office for treatment without
being referred by a physician or other
licensed health care professional, but did you
know you also have this freedom when it
comes to physical therapy? Thanks to
recent legislation passed in 2005 (and
initiated in the 1970’s), termed “Direct
Access,” you do not need a physician’s
prescription for the first thirty days of
physical therapy services as long as you go to
a “Direct Access-Licensed” physical therapist.
This is a right granted to better serve the
public by allowing physical therapists to serve
as an alternate route of entry into health
care.
Direct access to physical therapy services also
saves money for the patient and for the
insurance companies by eliminating
unnecessary visits to physician’s offices when
the purpose is solely to obtain a
prescription. It also benefits the public by
allowing for more timely identification and
treatment of health problems and it has
been demonstrated to minimize the
necessity of long term care.
The state of Pennsylvania is clearly on board
with this, but are the health insurance
companies going to pay for services not
prescribed by a physician? Most insurance
companies will pay for these services. It
varies with each company, but a majority of
them DO cover it. The main exception is
_____________________________________________
Medicare, but even they allow an initial physical therapy evaluation to be performed without a prescription.
We can not speak for other professions, but you can rest assured that there are a lot of rules and regulations that govern physical
therapy direct access licensing. In order to become licensed to treat without a physician’s prescription in PA, a physical therapist
must hold a current license to practice physical therapy in PA, pass the national physical therapy examination and complete the
appropriate education on evaluative procedures, practice the delivery of patient care for at least two years and maintain
professional liability insurance in the minimum amount required of physicians. Further, continuing education is mandated for
renewal of the license every two years.
Like any other profession, there are overzealous and irresponsible providers. So the increased freedom of choice for the public
also means more work for the public. It is important for you to do your homework and research the facilities and healthcare
providers treating you, whether it is a physical therapist, chiropractor, physician or any other healthcare professional. Their licenses
should be displayed in their offices conspicuously and they should be able to answer any questions you may have on training,
experience and education. There are numerous quality providers for every facet of health care so if you are not satisfied with the
level of care you are receiving you should go elsewhere.
This is a great achievement both for the field of physical therapy and for the people requiring physical therapy services. We are
proud to state that we have a physical therapist who maintains a direct access license and has successfully treated numerous
patients who entered the office without a prescription. We value the collaboration of other healthcare providers in the successful
treatment of patients.
If you happen to sustain an injury, an illness, or other health related concern, feel free to set up an appointment with a direct
access-licensed physical therapist near you right away!
We can not speak for other professions, but you can rest assured that there are a lot of rules and regulations that govern physical
therapy direct access licensing. In order to become licensed to treat without a physician’s prescription in PA, a physical therapist
must hold a current license to practice physical therapy in PA, pass the national physical therapy examination and complete the
appropriate education on evaluative procedures, practice the delivery of patient care for at least two years and maintain
professional liability insurance in the minimum amount required of physicians. Further, continuing education is mandated for
renewal of the license every two years.
Like any other profession, there are overzealous and irresponsible providers. So the increased freedom of choice for the public
also means more work for the public. It is important for you to do your homework and research the facilities and healthcare
providers treating you, whether it is a physical therapist, chiropractor, physician or any other healthcare professional. Their licenses
should be displayed in their offices conspicuously and they should be able to answer any questions you may have on training,
experience and education. There are numerous quality providers for every facet of health care so if you are not satisfied with the
level of care you are receiving you should go elsewhere.
This is a great achievement both for the field of physical therapy and for the people requiring physical therapy services. We are
proud to state that we have a physical therapist who maintains a direct access license and has successfully treated numerous
patients who entered the office without a prescription. We value the collaboration of other healthcare providers in the successful
treatment of patients.
If you happen to sustain an injury, an illness, or other health related concern, feel free to set up an appointment with a direct
access-licensed physical therapist near you right away!
