Physical therapy representatives asked a state scope‑of‑practice review committee to allow physical therapists to refer patients for plain‑film x‑ray imaging, arguing the change would improve access and reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for patients with high‑deductible plans.

"Greater than 50 percent of Connecticut residents have HDHPs," Joseph Grubicki of the Physical Therapy Association said, and having PTs refer for plain‑film imaging would avoid sending people to emergency departments solely to obtain an image. Mary Claire Capetta added that PTs already work as direct‑access providers in many settings and that the request is limited to referral, not to performing imaging in clinic.

Medical and radiology representatives pushed back. Michael Biondi of the Radiological Society of Connecticut warned that expanded ordering authority has been associated with higher imaging rates and highlighted radiation‑dose concerns. "The more experience you have and the more education you have, the less likely you are to order films," Biondi said, and he circulated studies showing higher utilization in some non‑physician contexts. Several physicians, including Dr. Miriam Hakim Zargar of the Connecticut State Medical Society and emergency and primary‑care clinicians on the committee, questioned the strength and generalizability of studies cited by PT proponents and raised concerns about diagnostic accuracy, incidental findings and follow‑up care.

Supporters said existing safeguards would remain: PT referrals would be for plain‑film imaging and radiologists would continue to read and report images. Mary Claire Capetta said PTs would follow radiology reports and refer patients for physician care when findings indicated the need. PT representatives also cited state precedents: "Ten states, the District of Columbia, and all branches of the military allow PTs to order imaging," Capetta said, and noted that some jurisdictions include sunset or monitoring provisions.

Committee members requested clarifications about whether the change would apply across care settings and whether the proposal included the removal of certain education requirements tied to grade‑5 spinal manipulation. PT representatives said they prefer removing a redundant 40‑hour coursework requirement for that procedure and emphasized their 19‑year direct‑access experience in Connecticut.

The committee did not vote on a scope change during the meeting. Staff will incorporate the discussion and the PT request into a report to the legislature before the upcoming session, which the chair said the committee will submit for lawmakers' consideration.