Direct access for patients who want to receive physical therapy services has been pushed to the forefront of therapist advocacy issues due to the ongoing struggle against unnecessary restrictions upheld by state law. Evaluation and treatment without referral by a licensed physical therapist has become more available nationwide, but restrictions such as time and visit limits, previous diagnosis requirements, or referral requirements for certain types of treatment are still hindering the profession of physical therapy. The professional ability therapists have to properly treat these patients is suffering from the law currently in place.1 Advocacy for the physical therapy profession is striving for further recognition to be granted increased ability to offer services and to remove limitations that are affecting the patients and profession. …show more content…
Studies show direct access to physical therapy is cost effective compared to a physician referral for physical therapy showed large financial and time consumption differences.2, 3 Total paid claims for physician referrals per patient episode was $1,232 more than paid claims for a direct access episode.2 Physician referral episodes were also 65% longer in duration than direct access episodes.2 Physical therapists have the knowledge base to differentially diagnose if a patient may have a condition that needs to be further evaluated by a physician. If the patient goes to physical therapy through direct access, a licensed physical therapist may help the patient avoid potentially unneeded expenses and assist them through therapy quicker than if they had to wait to see a physician initially. This evidence supports patients being able to see a physical therapist for their condition before a physician, as it might save them, and health care in general, more