Provision of Physical Therapy Services

Guideline 6: Provision of Physical Therapy Services

6.1

A physical therapist with three years of experience may treat a patient without a referral for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first, and must have the patient complete a Notice of Advice form. After this, the patient must be referred to a referring practitioner for evaluation.

6.2

A physical therapist may treat a patient after receiving a referral from an authorized health care provider (physician, (physician assistant) nurse practitioner, podiatrist, dentist or midwife) licensed and currently registered to practice in New York State. The referral must be within the level of competency and definition of practice for the referring provider.

6.3

There is no statutory time limit beyond which a referral is not valid, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the physical therapist as to whether the treatment is appropriate, based on the referral, or should be revised by the referring provider.

6.4

A referral is not required for a physical therapist to evaluate or prevent disability, injury, disease or other condition of health. The physical therapist providing preventive care must maintain a record of activities undertaken with each client and these may not be billed as physical therapy treatment.

6.5

A referral from an out-of-state physician is allowed under Section 6526(2) of the Education Law which includes an exemption for a physician who is licensed in a bordering state and who resides near the border of New York. The border vicinity is usually defined as less than 25 miles. There is no similar exemption for other licensed professionals. Physical therapists may accept a referral from a physician meeting this exemption.

6.6

While a dentist, podiatrist or midwife may refer to a physical therapist, such referral would have to be limited to treatment of a condition within the scope of practice of each of these professions.