Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Physical Therapy Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs small change to allow PT assistants longer treatment windows before PT reassessment
Summary
Senate Business and Labor voted to concur on House Bill 454, which lengthens the window between supervisory physical-therapist reassessments of patients treated by physical therapist assistants from six visits or 14 days to eight visits or 30 days, supporters said the change improves rural access and preserves PT clinical judgment.
Representative Laurie Theel sponsored House Bill 454, which would change supervision frequency for physical therapist assistants so a supervising physical therapist must reassess after eight visits or 30 days, whichever comes first, instead of the current six visits or 14 days.
Proponents — including Emily Herndon (represented in testimony by Brett Ballard), practicing PTAs such as Jinda Ruff and Leslie Pearson, and hospital systems including Billings Clinic and Logan Health — said the change aligns with Medicare and other states, supports rural practices with sparse PT availability and expands access without removing the supervising PT's authority. “This change helps the whole industry, but especially physical therapists in rural areas,” the sponsor said.
Speakers described practical disruptions under the current rule: missed appointments or scheduling gaps can interrupt treatment if the supervising PT cannot see the patient within the 14-day window. Proponents emphasized that the supervising PT retains discretion and that the amendment sets a maximum, not a minimum, frequency.
Kevin Bragg of the Department of Labor and Industry said the department will notify licensees about the statutory change through email, licensing portals and board communications.
The committee voted to concur on House Bill 454; proponents told the committee the amendment would allow PTs to focus on more acute cases and enable PTAs to maintain continuity of care in their communities.
