| ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 2, 2006 — Patients in
Connecticut who need physical therapist services can now go directly
to their physical therapist without having to wait to receive a
referral from a physician. Connecticut is the 42nd state to pass
"direct access" legislation that eliminates, under certain conditions,
the physician referral requirement for patients needing physical
therapist services. The bill, SB 164, sponsored by the Joint Public
Health Committee under the leadership of State Senator Christopher
Murphy (D-Cheshire), was signed into law today by Governor M Jodi Rell.
It will take effect on October 1, 2006.
"This bill is a thoughtful piece of legislation that was drafted
with the help of many groups including the CT State Medical Society,
CT Chiropractic Association, the insurance industry and input from the
Public Health and Judiciary Committees with patient safety taking the
highest priority," said Peg Grey, PT, MA, ATC, president of the
Connecticut Physical Therapy Association (CPTA). "Direct access to
physical therapy services will allow the people of Connecticut
improved access to physical therapy care."
"The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) applauds the
state legislature for passing this important legislation to provide
patients with direct access to physical therapist services," said APTA
President Ben F Massey, Jr, PT, MA. "A mandated referral causes
delays, and at times denies patients access to cost-effective physical
therapy services. Connecticut's new law will improve access and
patient choice while maintaining quality and safety."
Read More at the
APTA.
Click Here to read the new
Direct Access Law.
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