PhysioNews: Michigan ,USA : Law for direct access for Patients to go directly to a Physiotherapist for Evaluation and Treatment without a Physician’s Referral.

American Physical Therapy Association marks Michigan milestone:

By the Midland Daily News: August 15 2014

Governor Rick Snyder recently signed legislation that will allow patients in Michigan to go directly to a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment without a physician’s referral. 

With the enactment of SB 690, Michigan joins 49 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting some level of direct access to treatment by physical therapists without the need of a referral.

“This is a significant milestone for the people of Michigan, and for the physical therapy profession,” said Paul A. Rockar Jr., president of the American Physical Therapy Association.

 “APTA has long advocated for improved patient access to physical therapists, and I applaud Michigan’s achievement in making this policy a reality.”

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, and promoted by the Michigan Chapter of APTA, creates the option for patients to see a physical therapist without a referral or prescription from a physician, for up to 21 days or 10 treatment visits.

The new law will also allow patients to see a physical therapist directly for injury prevention and fitness promotion, with no time or visit limit. In addition to establishing direct access, SB 690 specifies that only licensed physical therapists may use the term “doctor of physical therapy” in connection with their services. The passage of this legislation is the culmination of many years of hard-fought effort on the part of MPTA that at times faced significant opposition, the organization stated. A similar bill was sponsored in the Michigan House of Representatives by Rep. Margaret O’Brien.

“The goal of direct access to physical therapy in Michigan has been 34 years in the making,” said MPTA President Sue Talley. “This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of multiple MPTA presidents; legislative chairs; the grass roots efforts of our members and patients; and Sen Moolenaar and Rep O’Brien.”

“This is not only a victory for physical therapists in our state, but more importantly represents a great benefit to the people of Michigan who need the services of physical therapists,” said Craig Miller, MPTA’s legislative director.

 “SB 690 will better equip physical therapists in Michigan to help our state achieve the triple aim of health care—to provide high-quality care that is cost effective and accessible for the health care consumer.”

The milestone of achieving some form of direct access to treatment in all 51 U.S. jurisdictions comes on the heels of achieving direct access to evaluation throughout the U.S. in 2013. However, while this is a historic achievement for the physical therapy profession, the fight for unfettered patient access to physical therapist services is far from over, the APTA stated.

“There are a number of direct access states with provisions tied to their direct access law that are not based on evidence or on the best interests of the patient,” Rockar said. “APTA’s work will continue to remove these unwarranted provisions tied to treatment provided via direct access.”

The new Michigan law will take effect Jan. 1, 2015. APTA provided a direct access grant to the MPTA to support its efforts on SB 690.

News Link: Midland Daily News -August 2015

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/american-physical-therapy-association-marks-michigan-milestone/article_f4b944b1-1b22-5a1d-bf32-13c2ecf0f340.html

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