FAQ

FAQ

Q: Is it legal for physicians to provide physical therapy services and to employ physical therapists?

A: Yes. Physician Group Practices can provide physical therapy services as an integral component of their medical practice. Stark I & II reinforce physicians employing physical therapists as an in-office ancillary service.

Q: If it’s legal for Physician Groups to provide physical therapy services, then how can this be taken away from us in our state?

A: Physical Therapists in each state are aggressively attempting to rewrite the “Physical Therapy Practice Act,” to restrict physical therapists from working in physician clinics or for physicians. This tactic doesn’t make it illegal for physicians to provide physical services --- it does make it illegal for a physical therapist to work in a physician-owned clinic. Truly "Catch-22.” It restricts the medical scope of service for the physician groups and it greatly restricts employment options for physical therapists.

Q: Who is attempting legally to restrict physicians from providing physical therapy services?

A: The APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) and its local State Chapters. In 2002, the APTA stated it supports exclusive PT ownership and operation of physical therapy services. In June of 2003 the APTA unanimously endorsed two resolutions to develop and implement strategies to secure enactment of federal and state laws and regulations that would prohibit physicians' ownership of physical therapy services. A seven-member task force chaired by the APTA Treasurer was formed to research and analyze federal and state laws and regulations, and collect the practice information needed to develop effective strategies to respond to Physician Owned Physical Therapy Services.

Q: Has the APTA been successful in prohibiting Physician Owned Physical Therapy Services?

A: Yes (almost). In March of this year (2004), South Carolina interpreted their State Physical Therapy Practice Act to prohibit Physical Therapists from working in a physician office and rendered a 90 day notice for their Physical Therapists to find a new job..