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Debate over allowing physical and occupational therapists to be attending providers centers on access to care vs. diagnostic scope
Summary
HB 2243 would permit physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers' compensation medical provider network; PT/OT advocates said it would speed care and return‑to‑work, while physician groups and employer associations warned of diagnostic limits, potential delays from needed referrals, litigation risk, and added administrative costs for the medical provider network.
Committee staff described House Bill 2243, which would allow physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) to be attending providers under the workers' compensation system. Staff explained attending providers coordinate care, certify time loss, oversee concurrent care, and that adding a provider type would require that provider type to join the L&I medical provider network.
APTA Washington and several PTs/OTs testified in support. Suzanne Michaud, president of APTA Washington, said PTs are a doctorate‑level, direct‑access…
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