Please post the following information.

Thank you.

Bill

Recent Changes to the Laws Governing Physical Therapy in Virginia

Information for Licensed Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants

A Message From:

Rachel Amidon, PT,  Christina Curran, PT,  Brian D’Orazio, PT,  Kash Eagleton, PT,  Melissa Eagleton, PT, Barbara Ehman, PT, Gayle Garnett, PT,  Brian Hoke, PT,  Ginger Houck, PT,  Pat Huston, PT,  Scott Hyldahl, PT,  Samuel Jamison, PT,  Bill Melchione, PT, Judy Jenkins, PT,  Marshall Rennie, PT,  Beth Rennie, PT, Bill Whiteford, PT,  Colleen Whiteford, PT,  Mary Wooten, PT,  Heidi Zander, PT

What are some of the privileges and limitations recently passed by the  Virginia legislature regarding treatment by a Physical Therapist without physician referral?

PT’s must obtain a certificate of authority to evaluate and treat patients without referral. This certification will separate how different therapists are allowed to practice, and require additional expense to Virginia Physical Therapists in the form of fees and continuing education. 

The criteria for this certification will be decided by three members of the VPTA and three physicians from the Medical Society of Virginia.  After 7 years of an independent PT Board, we are again putting our profession under further "referral and direction" constraints of physicians.

Once a PT has gone through all of  the required certification, limitations still apply for treatment without referral:

• You may NOT treat a patient if they are already under the care of a physician/referring practitioner for the problem. The patient must attest to this in writing.
• At the time of evaluation, the patient must identify a physician/referring    practitioner that they will see if care is desired beyond the 14 day limit and they must release their information to be sent to that provider.  
• You must send your evaluation to the designated provider within 3 days.
• Physical therapy treatment without referral cannot exceed a period of 14 business days.
• A PT may not evaluate and treat a patient without referral if they were evaluated within the previous 3 months

What is wrong with this picture?

    To get support of the Virginia Orthopaedic   Society and the Medical Society of Virginia, the VPTA Board of Directors made binding promises to these physician organizations that for five years the VPTA WILL NOT:

  Introduce any legislation that prohibits physician ownership of physical therapy

   Introduce any legislation expanding the scope of practice of physical therapy

     The political climate as it relates to referral for profit is shifting, and public opinion on conflict of interest is generally negative.  The physicians’ groups wanted assurances we would not bring this into the legislature for debate and discussion (and hence, the newspapers).  Our ability to bring forth any legislation to address this problem was negotiated away for “new freedoms” for PT that appear to be crafted with protection of the physicians’ interest first and foremost.  While we gained treatment subject to the conditions noted, the physicians gained further advantage and     control of Physical Therapy in Virginia.

      The recent action of the VPTA Board has profoundly affected the practice of EVERY PT and PTA in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Prior to doing so, they failed to survey the membership, enlist the full membership in discussion on the negotiations with the physicians, or communicate the details of the bill to Virginia PT’s and PTA’s before support was solicited.  When specifics of the bill became available many concerned VPTA members contacted the Board, but the Board elected to “stay the course” in the face of these weighty concerns.  A request to present an opposing viewpoint to the membership on this legislation, prior to its passing, was denied.

     The actions of the Virginia Chapter are in direct opposition to the directive of the APTA House of Delegates Resolution to seek legislative prohibition of physician ownership of physical   therapy services (RC  06-02-24-48).

Now what?

Every PT and PTA should take the time to read the specifics of the new physical therapy practice act. It is our opinion that VPTA/ APTA communications have only highlighted those aspects which cast the changes in a positive light,  neglecting to mention new restrictions on practice.  The regulations can be accessed at the following link: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+SB1305ER

If you read the full legislation and AGREE the new law is a worthwhile and less confusing improvement and you agree with the way this was handled by the VPTA, let us know.

If you DO NOT AGREE with the way this was handled, and would have preferred alternative actions, make your feelings known to the VPTA Board of Directors.  You may do so individually, AND you may join us in conveying the following message at the next meeting of the Board:

• The VPTA failed to properly represent the membership in crafting the recent             legislation and negotiating with physician’s groups
• It is in the best interest of the membership to require the VPTA to survey its members and engage in meaningful discussion to assure that the majority support any legislation that alters the laws governing Physical Therapy practice in Virginia.

We encourage all PTs and PTAs in Virginia to be active members of the VPTA.  All who practice Physical Therapy are affected by these regulatory changes.

Let your voice be heard!

• Send us your opinion via fax, e-mail, or mail and/or
• Attend the Issues Forum on 4/13 or the Board of Directors meeting on 4/15 at the VPTA Annual Retreat (details at www.vpta.org).

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE VPTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON THEIR ROLE IN THE  RECENT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, who would like to express their opinion about the manner in which the VPTA advanced recent PT legislation, may do so by sending an e-mail to:   united4achange@comcast.net     

PTs and PTAs may also send their opinions on this topic by completing the following:

========================================================================

I am a   _ X __ Physical Therapist      

and it is my opinion that the VPTA acted     __ X _  appropriately 

in the recent introduction and advancement of laws changing the practice of physical therapy in Virginia.  

 In addition, I   _ X __ agree      

that the VPTA should establish specific guidelines for member notification and majority approval when advocating  changes.

Additional comments:  ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Name: ___ Melissa Wolff-Burke __________________________

City: ______ Winchester, VA _________________________

You can fax this by 4/4 to:  (540) 901-8773 (Attn: Colleen Whiteford)

You may also mail this to:    

    Blue Ridge Physical Therapy

    728 N. Lee Highway

    Lexington VA   24450