In the State of Kentucky, each individual is allowed direct access to Physical Therapy. What this means is that you are not only allowed to choose who you want to go to for your physical therapy, but when. Of course it is a given that early intervention is important in gaining a quick and positive outcome. There are some caveats for certain insurances like Medicare and Medicaid and I will post that later. However, even with these you are allowed direct access.
Below is a short summary of what Direct Access actually means
"What is Direct Access to Physical Therapy
Question: What is Direct Access
to Physical Therapy?
In the past my doctor
prescribed physical therapy for me. Now she says that I can have direct access
to physical therapy. What is direct access?
Answer:
Direct access refers to the ability of patients to be evaluated
and treated by a physical therapist without being referred by a doctor or other healthcare
practitioner. If you feel you have a problem that may benefit from the skilled
services of a physical therapist, you may be able to refer yourself to physical therapy for treatment. Sometimes direct access is called self-referral.
In the United States, provisions for physical therapy services
are governed by each individual state through a "state-practice" act.
The practice act is legislation that outlines how physical therapy services
will be delivered. Historically, each state's practice act provided that
physical therapy services would be provided only if ordered by a licensed
physician or other licensed healthcare practitioner. Each state lists different
professionals who may refer patients to physical therapy, including podiatrists, dentists and nurse
practitioners.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has lobbied successfully in many states to help change
the law to allow patients direct access to physical therapy. By having direct
access in each state, physical therapists are recognized as the licensed
professionals of choice to initially manage musculoskeletal and movement
disorders in patients. You can check to see if your state allows direct access
on the APTA's website.
Why Is Direct Access Important?
Healthcare is
expensive. It seems that with every passing year, more money is being spent on
healthcare, with no objective data that patients are achieving better outcomes.
A system that allows the patient to directly seek the services of a physical
therapist can help save healthcare dollars by eliminating unnecessary tests or
other specialist referrals. Many conditions can be successfully evaluated and
treated with no expensive diagnostic testing.
Is Direct Access Safe?
Some opponents of direct access to physical therapy services
argue that patients may be put at risk if they visit a physical therapist
directly. Physical therapists lack the ability to order certain diagnostic tests or prescribe medication to help manage pain.
To date, there is no
objective data indicating that self-referral to physical therapy puts patients
at increased risk. Also, there is nothing indicating that self-referred
patients consume more healthcare dollars during or after their physical therapy
care episode.
Physical therapists
are also trained to recognize "red flags" that may signal the need
for more invasive medical intervention. In those cases, referral to your
physician or healthcare provider is made immediately.
Many states also have
safety nets built into the legislation that governs the practice of physical
therapy. For instance, some states allow direct access only to therapists who
have been practicing for three or more years. Others allow a certain time frame
or specific number of physical therapy visits during an episode of care. If the
patient requires skilled physical therapy after the time frame or visit
threshold is reached, referral to the patient's doctor is mandatory.
If you are suffering from a musculoskeletal condition that
causes functional movement limitations, use your best judgment when deciding
which healthcare practitioner to see. A visit to your local physical therapist
is a safe place to start on the road to recovery. Remember that not all states
allow for direct access to physical therapy. You can check the APTA
direct access map to see if your state
allows direct access. If you are unsure if physical therapy is right for you, a
discussion with your doctor may be necessary to help you decide.
Sources:
Pendergast J, Kliethermes SA, Freburger JK, Duffy PA. A comparison
of health care use for physician-referred and self-referred episodes of
outpatient physical therapy. Health Services Research "
I hope this encourages to take your health care needs into your own control, seeking out your family Physical Therapist
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