Direct Access to Physical Therapy

Direct Access to Physical Therapy

Introduction

Direct Access in Physical Therapy (PT) allows any individual treat by his physical therapist without being acknowledged of the physician for a referral. There are many states, which have direct accesses. It helps in removing the existed requirement of Medicare in which the physician advice to give the course of Physical Therapy. It is now in existence with many years. According to the survey it is stated that around 39 or 45 states are using direct access for Physical Therapy without having prescription from the Physician. There are also some states which do not allow the direct access laws and they want the proper prescription from the physician. District of Columbia also allows the Direct Access and in 2003 New Jersey allowed direct access in her state.

Discussion

Analysis

According to Medicare Part B, there is a need of certification of the plane of care and a referral from a physician in order to start a Physical Therapists' services. This can affect the outcomes. Due to these requirements, delivering of health is delayed. These requirements are not saving time and money. Legislation has developed which help in easily accessing the Physical Therapists in order to take advantages of Medicare.

U.S. has reintroduced the Legislation in U.S. house and Senate which had allowed Physical Therapists to give orthotic and prosthetic services to the Medicare system. This is also assumed that orthotic and prosthetic services are also included in any Physical Therapy's act in any state. This bill of legislation enables Physical Therapists to provide their orthotic and prosthetic for the Medicare services without the involvement, supervision and coordination of Physicians. But, there is a condition that, Congress has to decide, whether the requirement of the referral and prescription by Physician, eliminates in the Medicare system or not in order to provide physical therapy services to patients.

The proposal is successfully names as “PT Direct Access”. Many of the physical therapy proponents enjoyed this name, but it should be like as “PT self-referral”.

Impact of Direct Access

The treatment from the licensed Physical Therapist would result in many good outcomes and recoveries. Everyone wants to enjoy life and become healthy. People are attracted towards those things which are beneficial to them such as new techniques of becoming healthy and prosperous. Physical Therapy makes the people healthier than before. They can recover easily after going through the processes of Physical Therapy. Outcomes of Physical Therapy have shown the helpful results for many people. People do not need to wait for their physician for long. They can also save their time and costs in doing Physical Therapy as they do not have to wait and there are no chances of delay. There were delaying outcomes and increasing visits before the popularity of Physical Therapy. This direct access has made the lives easier than before. It saves the overall health care system as well as time and costs. This also helps the physicians to give their time to those where skilled treatment is required with ...