WHAT IS DIRECT ACCESS?
In the State of Tennessee the DIRECT ACCESS legislation was passed in 2007 allowing licensed Physical Therapists (PT) to evaluate and treat patients without first seeing a physician. The Physical Therapists at Beyond Physical Therapy, PLLC are experts in evaluating a patient's musculoskeletal condition; and if appropriate, safely and effectively treating the patient. Physical Therapists are highly-trained health care professionals, educated at the master level with extensive clinical training and have a proven track record of effectively treating patients. We are also well qualified to recognize when patients demonstrate conditions that should be evaluated by other health care professionals and when necessary, we will suggest referral to other providers, i.e., physicians. With your permission we can send the results of our examination to your physician to assure good communication and a positive treatment outcome.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
"You have the freedom to choose your own physical therapist. Most states allow you to go directly to a physical therapist without getting a physician's referral first. Currently, 46 states allow people to go directly to a physical therapist without a physician's referral (all but Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma)...
...Your physician may refer you for physical therapy that is to be provided in the physician's office, or to a facility in which the physician has a financial interest. If this is your situation, be aware that you have the right to choose your own physical therapist and that you are not obligated to receive physical therapy in any specific facility. Always insist that your physical therapy be provided by a licensed physical therapist."
~American Physical Therapy Association
DIRECT ACCESS ADVANTAGES:
Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy Position Statement Direct Access to Physical Therapy
In order to provide physical therapy without a prior referral, a physical therapist must meet the requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(b), including being licensed in good standing and having current CPR certification, or its equivalent. The physical therapist must also either:
1. Hold a master’s or doctorate degree from a professional physical therapy program that is accredited by a national accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Board of Physical Therapy. The physical therapist must also have completed at least one (1) year of experience as a licensed physical therapist. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(b)(1)
or
2. Have successfully completed a residency or clinical fellowship in physical therapy at a program approved by the Board of Physical Therapy. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13- 303(b)(2) The Board of Physical Therapy has approved fellowships and residencies approved by the American Physical Therapy Association and the Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
or
3. Have completed at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed physical therapist and successfully completed a physical therapy screening course that is approved by the Board of Physical Therapy and offered by an accredited university that consists of at least fifteen (15) contact hours. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(b)
Effective July 1, 2007, the Occupational and Physical Practice Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-101 et. Seq.) was amended to provide for direct access to physical therapy without a prior referral from a licensed doctor of medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, podiatry or osteopathy. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(a)(4)
Adopted by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy on August 17, 2007 and Ratified by the Board of Physical Therapy on November 14, 2008.
In the State of Tennessee the DIRECT ACCESS legislation was passed in 2007 allowing licensed Physical Therapists (PT) to evaluate and treat patients without first seeing a physician. The Physical Therapists at Beyond Physical Therapy, PLLC are experts in evaluating a patient's musculoskeletal condition; and if appropriate, safely and effectively treating the patient. Physical Therapists are highly-trained health care professionals, educated at the master level with extensive clinical training and have a proven track record of effectively treating patients. We are also well qualified to recognize when patients demonstrate conditions that should be evaluated by other health care professionals and when necessary, we will suggest referral to other providers, i.e., physicians. With your permission we can send the results of our examination to your physician to assure good communication and a positive treatment outcome.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
"You have the freedom to choose your own physical therapist. Most states allow you to go directly to a physical therapist without getting a physician's referral first. Currently, 46 states allow people to go directly to a physical therapist without a physician's referral (all but Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma)...
...Your physician may refer you for physical therapy that is to be provided in the physician's office, or to a facility in which the physician has a financial interest. If this is your situation, be aware that you have the right to choose your own physical therapist and that you are not obligated to receive physical therapy in any specific facility. Always insist that your physical therapy be provided by a licensed physical therapist."
~American Physical Therapy Association
DIRECT ACCESS ADVANTAGES:
- Reduces your healthcare costs (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013154004.htm)
- Allows for prompt attention and service
- Ability to choose your Physical Therapy provider
- Referral not required (except BlueCare patients - per insurance regulations)
Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy Position Statement Direct Access to Physical Therapy
In order to provide physical therapy without a prior referral, a physical therapist must meet the requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(b), including being licensed in good standing and having current CPR certification, or its equivalent. The physical therapist must also either:
1. Hold a master’s or doctorate degree from a professional physical therapy program that is accredited by a national accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Board of Physical Therapy. The physical therapist must also have completed at least one (1) year of experience as a licensed physical therapist. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(b)(1)
or
2. Have successfully completed a residency or clinical fellowship in physical therapy at a program approved by the Board of Physical Therapy. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13- 303(b)(2) The Board of Physical Therapy has approved fellowships and residencies approved by the American Physical Therapy Association and the Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
or
3. Have completed at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed physical therapist and successfully completed a physical therapy screening course that is approved by the Board of Physical Therapy and offered by an accredited university that consists of at least fifteen (15) contact hours. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(b)
Effective July 1, 2007, the Occupational and Physical Practice Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-101 et. Seq.) was amended to provide for direct access to physical therapy without a prior referral from a licensed doctor of medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, podiatry or osteopathy. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-303(a)(4)
Adopted by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy on August 17, 2007 and Ratified by the Board of Physical Therapy on November 14, 2008.