What Is Direct Access Physical Therapy?

What is direct access to physical therapy? We believe it should be the norm for healthcare systems as it can save money as well as make things faster and easier for the patient. Direct access lets people seek out treatment from licensed physical therapists without a referral or a prescription from a physician. Anyone who has been to a doctor before can probably relate to the frustration of needing a referral if you need to see a specialist or need further help in recovering from injury. It takes time to schedule different appointments and also costs money jumping from doctor to doctor. What if, though, you didn’t need permission and you could go out on your own to seek the treatment you want to get and not the doctor’s opinion of treatment. What if you were denied a referral to a physical therapist you think you need in order to get better? Direct access can amend these issues as well as cut costs for the patient and the time to get the treatment you want.

As of last January, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands allow patients to seek some type of treatment from a licensed physical therapist without a referral or prescription. In many states, though, it is individual state laws that put restrictions on treatment. Restrictions include limiting the number of visits or services related to treatment without a referral. There are some who are concerned with direct access and the effects it could have on the patient in the long term. What if the physical therapist who is treating your were to miss an underlying condition and you were to take a turn for the worse? Of course, it makes sense that some people would want the approval of their physician before seeing a specialist, but sometimes it can take a long time waiting around for a referral and checking with insurance companies. Rates of malpractice insurance among physical therapists has been no higher in states where direct access is working compared to the states who make patients get referrals for seeing a physical therapist.

Direct access has many benefits for both patients and therapists. You should be able to seek the services they are interested in without restrictions. With direct access, there is less jumping through hoops and waiting time as the patient can do it on their own time when they really need it. This could really save not only time and money, but hopefully, it could save lives in the long run, and make people happier with the healthcare they are receiving.  

Need Physical Therapy now? Call us and make use of direct access here at Island Sports Physical Therapy.