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Panel weighs adding physical therapists as workers’ compensation treating physicians
Summary
SB 109 would add physical therapists to the statutory list of treating physicians for workers’ compensation claims. Proponents said direct access would reduce delays and speed return to work; insurers, self‑insured pools and medical groups warned PTs lack certain workers’‑comp responsibilities such as impairment ratings and some diagnostic authorities.
The Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee heard extensive testimony for and against Senate Bill 109, which would add physical therapists licensed under Title 37, chapter 11, to the statutory list of treating physicians for workers’ compensation claims.
Sponsor Senator Greg Hertz said adding physical therapists would speed care and reduce costs by allowing injured workers to see a trusted PT promptly rather than waiting for a physician appointment. Proponents emphasized Montana already allows direct access to PTs in private insurance settings; they said the workers’‑comp process creates avoidable delays in starting active rehabilitation.
Emily Herndon, president of the Montana chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, said…
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