KEY ASPECTS OF DIRECT ACCESS

Referral is no longer needed to evaluate and treat patients.

·         Up to 10 business days for PTs with a doctoral degree, or PTs who have 30 hours of CCUs in Differential Diagnosis

·         Up to 15 business days for PTs with a doctoral degree who have completed a residency, fellowship training or board certification as recognized by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

·         Must have at least one year of experience

·         Must have liability insurance

·         Will still need a referral if treatment is needed beyond the allowed days

A disclosure form must be given to patients who are treated by a physical therapist without a referral.  The form shall include language in which the patient acknowledges that physical therapy is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis by a physician, nor is it based on radiological imaging, that a physical therapist cannot diagnose illness or disease, and that such services might not be covered by a patient’s health plan or insurer.

This form is being developed by the Texas Board of PT Examiners and will be required once it is finalized around Nov. 1^st, 2019.

PRESS RELEASE
The below press release has been sent to major media outlets. Those of you who are in smaller markets, or have good contacts with someone in the media, can use this to try to generate a story in your local media. Now that Direct Access is a reality it will be up to all of us to make the public aware of the change in the law.

View The Press Release