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Committee hears testimony for expanding physical therapists’ authority to order advanced imaging
Summary
Senate Bill 2273 would allow trained physical therapists to order diagnostic imaging beyond flat‑film x‑rays, including MRIs and CTs. Supporters said the change would reduce delays and costs, especially for rural patients; the committee took neutral and supportive testimony but did not vote.
Senate Bill 2273, which would expand diagnostic imaging privileges for physical therapists beyond plain radiographs to include advanced imaging such as MRI and CT, received broad favorable testimony at a Senate Human Services Committee hearing.
Sponsor Sen. Brad Beckertall, R‑Williston, said the bill would build on 2021 legislation that allowed some physical therapists to order flat‑film x‑rays, and that expanding authority would reduce treatment delays. “What this bill seeks to do is remove that time lag in the treatment so that you can … order the image, they can get the scans read by the radiologist, they can get the review back to them, and they can continue your treatment without that lag time,” Beckertall said.
Several practicing physical therapists and educators described clinical scenarios where the ability to order advanced imaging would speed diagnosis and reduce travel and cost for patients, particularly in rural areas. Mitch Walden, professor and licensed physical therapist, said physical therapists are already educated on imaging in their doctoral curricula and that 12 states currently allow similar diagnostic imaging authority for physical therapists.
Mitch Walden, University of Jamestown professor: “We're identifying patients who should be getting that image, but also who don't need an image … physical therapists are referring for diagnostic imaging appropriately and judiciously.”
Orthopedic board‑certified physical therapist Scott Brown of a large health system described a recent case in which a therapist identified signs of serious nerve involvement and coordinated an MRI and surgical care quickly once imaging was available; without the authority to order, Brown said the process required extra communications and delays. Supporters and witnesses emphasized that therapists would order imaging when guideline‑based criteria were met and that radiologists would continue to interpret the images.
Committee members asked about whether imaging results would be routed to a primary care provider or specialist and whether HIPAA releases would be required for cross‑system sharing; witnesses said the bill language requires communication with the primary care provider within seven days and that HIPAA and local health‑system requirements for sharing still apply. No opposition testimony was recorded; the committee did not take a vote during this session.
Why it matters: Supporters argued the bill would improve timely diagnosis, reduce trips and costs for rural patients, and safely expand care within the training of modern physical therapists. The committee will consider the bill further on the Senate calendar.
