Health occupations: physical therapists; prescription requirement for physical therapy treatment; eliminate, and make other modifications to the practice of physical therapy. Amends secs. 17801, 17820, 17822, 17824 & 17825 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17801 et seq.) & adds sec. 17825a.
Take action
Take a stance or write a position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill modifies the practice of physical therapy in Michigan by eliminating the requirement that physical therapy treatment must be prescribed by a health care professional. It also makes several other changes, including allowing physical therapy assistants to provide treatment for up to 21 days or 10 treatments without a prescription, and requiring physical therapists to consult with a referring health care professional if a patient doesn’t respond to treatment within a reasonable timeframe. The bill also clarifies that physical therapy does not include diagnosing medical conditions or prescribing treatment.
Key provisions
- Eliminates the requirement for a prescription from a health care professional for physical therapy treatment.
- Allows physical therapist assistants to provide treatment for up to 21 days or 10 treatments without a prescription.
- Requires physical therapists to consult with a referring health care professional if a patient’s condition doesn’t improve.
- Clarifies that hospitals can require physical therapists to perform activities within their scope of practice as a condition of employment.
- Mandates physical therapists to refer patients to a health care professional if symptoms require services beyond physical therapy's scope.
- Requires physical therapists to inform patients of potential financial liability for services without a referral.
- Establishes a 180-day effective date for the law.
Who is affected
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Document of record
- Version
- Senate Introduced Bill
- Published
- Not published in the source record
This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
No sponsors are on record.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours