What is it, and why is it important to you?

Direct access to Physical Therapy means that a person can refer themselves to a physical therapist and be treated by a physical therapist, without having to first go to a physician.  In Michigan patients can only be evaluated but can not receive treatment.  Being able to directly access a physical therapist can save you hundreds of dollars, time, and aggravation.  A survey by Mitchell and deLissovoy[1] found that insurance companies save an average of $1200 per patient.  When multiplied by the number of patients seeking therapy, this adds up an astronomical number of health care dollars wasted.

Is it safe to go to a physical therapist without seeing a doctor first?  The overwhelming answer is yes.  A study done in 2005 of 50,000 patients seen by physical therapists under direct access could not find one incidence of injury or adverse event or action against a physical therapist license.[2]  Forty-six states and the District of Colombia have passed some form of Direct Access for Physical Therapists.  Some of these states have had direct access for the past 30 years, and there is no increase in liability claims in those states.[3]

In many cases insurance companies will cover physical therapy without referral because they recognize that it saves them money.  However, Medicare does not currently reimburse for physical therapy services without a prescription from a doctor; despite the fact that other government agencies, such as the military, use direct access as a cost effective and patient beneficial model.

If you as a consumer would like to see your physical therapist directly, the most important thing you can do is to write or call to your senators and congressional members and tell them.

Michigan Government

Find your Senator:                   http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm

Find your Congressman:          http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/

U.S. Government

Find your Senator:                   http://www.senate.gov/

Find your Congressman           http://www.house.gov/

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