A few weeks ago, I shared some details about the bill on the
table to bring direct access to physical therapy in Texas.
What that means is that instead of having to see a medical
doctor or other health professional to get a prescription for physical therapy
in order for it to be covered by health insurance, you have the option to see
the physical therapist first. This is allowed in 47 other states in the
country, and currently, the Texas legislature is considering it.
Interesting enough, a recent study was published that
showcases how direct access to physical therapy benefits patients.
The study found that patients who were immediately seen by a
physical therapist (as part of a care team with two medical doctors and a
pharmacist) had to undergo half as many physical therapy procedures, MRIs and
CT scans as those referred to physical therapists to be seen at a later time.
These patients also saw a significant reduction in costs – approximately 50%! In addition, they reported a higher satisfaction than those who received physical therapy later on in their treatment process.
Allowing direct access in Texas will help to improve the
quality of care that we can offer our patients, and also reduce healthcare
costs in the state. It's a win-win situation!
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