PHYSICAL THERAPY PRESCRIPTION S.B. 690 (S-1)-694 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 690 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Senate Bill 691 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Senate Bill 692 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Senate Bill 693 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Senate Bill 694 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator John Moolenaar (S.B. 690)
Senator Rebekah Warren (S.B. 691)
Senator Tom Casperson (S.B. 692)
Senator Dave Hildenbrand (S.B. 693)
Senator Mike Green (S.B. 694)
CONTENT
Senate Bill 690 (S-1) would amend Part 178 (Physical Therapy) of the Public Health Code to permit a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to treat an individual without a prescription from a licensed physician or dentist for physical therapy services under either of the following circumstances:
-- For 21 days or 10 treatments, whichever occurred first.
-- The patient was seeking physical therapy services for the purpose of preventing injury or promoting fitness.
A physical therapist who was treating a patient without a prescription would have to refer the patient back to an appropriate health care professional if the physical therapist had reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions were present that required services beyond the scope of practice of physical therapy. Additionally, the physical therapist would have to consult with an appropriate health care professional if a patient did not show reasonable response to treatment in a time period consistent with the standards of practice as determined by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy. (Similar requirements apply to a physical therapist who is treating a patient upon the prescription of a health care professional.)
Before a physical therapist delegated physical therapy interventions to a physical therapist assistant, the physical therapist would have to determine that the patient's condition required physical therapy.
In addition, Part 178 restricts the use of certain words, titles, or letters to those who are authorized to use them under the part. The bill would include "doctor of physiotherapy" and "doctor of physical therapy" among them.
Senate Bills 691 (S-1) through 694 (S-1) would amend various statutes to provide that an insurer would not have to reimburse for physical therapy service provided without a prescription.
Senate Bill 691 (S-1) would amend the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act with regard to a certificate or prudent purchaser agreement offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Senate Bill 692 (S-1) would amend the Prudent Purchaser Act. Senate Bill 693 (S-
1) would amend the Worker's Compensation Disability Act. Senate Bill 694 (S-1) would amend the Insurance Code with regard to motor vehicle personal protection insurance coverage and individual and group disability insurance prudent purchaser agreements.
Senate Bill 690 (S-1) is tie-barred to all of the other bills, which are tie-barred to Senate Bill 690.
MCL 333.17820 & 333.17824 (S.B. 690) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
550.1502 & 550.1502a (S.B. 691)
550.53 (S.B. 692)
418.315 (S.B. 693)
500.3107b et al. (S.B. 694)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. The two minor fiscal implications of the bills would stem from the role of State and local governments as employers and the State's role in State-run health care programs. Should the bills reduce the number of allowable visits to physical therapists, State and local entities could see a slight reduction in cost. However, the population affected would not be large enough to significantly change the fiscal burden for either State or local government.
Date Completed: 3-31-14 Fiscal Analyst: Ellyn Ackerman
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.