TPTA to Help Texans Save Up to 120% on Healthcare Costs
Texans seeking physical therapy services must have a referral from another healthcare provider, increasing the cost of healthcare by as much as 123%. Texas ranks 43rd in the country for primary care physician access. Healthcare reform may push even more physicians to "conceirge" plans, only increasing the lack of access to physicians, further delaying patient care and increasing healthcare costs. Texans need the right to choose physical therapy treatment directly from a physical therapist.
Austin, TX, May 25, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Patients seeking alternatives to prescription medications and surgery are choosing physical therapy for the prevention and treatment of conditions affecting movement and function, only to find arbitrary, unnecessary, and costly access barriers. It is illegal for a Texas consumer to directly access a physical therapist for treatment, yet the same consumer may directly access a chiropractor, a podiatrist, a massage therapist, an acupuncturist and even a personal trainer for treatment.
These roadblocks only increases healthcare costs. An analysis of Blue Cross-Blue Shield claims showed that the total paid claims for physician referral episodes to physical therapy was 123% higher than the paid claims for direct access episodes. In addition, physician referral episodes were 65% longer and resulted in 60% more office visits than direct access episodes. (Mitchell J, de Lissovoy G. A comparison of resource use and cost in direct access versus physician referral episodes of physical therapy. Phys Ther. 1997; 77:10-18.)
According to the Texas Medical Association, in 2009 Texas ranked 43rd in shortage of primary care physicians. Healthcare Reform implementation will only amplify this shortage. Delays in a patient’s access to needed physical therapy treatments may result in longer recovery times and increased costs. The average patient in Dallas and Houston waits roughly 20 days to see a primary care physician. (Merritt Hawkins, 2009 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times).
Currently in Texas, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants, and advanced nurse practitioners of all types (midwives, clinical specialists, FNPs) are all allowed to determine if a patient needs physical therapy. Thus, the legislature has already determined that physician training is not needed to determine if physical therapy is appropriate for a patient. Physical therapists are at least as qualified, if not more, than the other professions listed to determine if a patient's condition lies within their scope. The move to post-baccalaureate for physical therapists started more than 10 years ago, and today all 12 Texas PT programs culminate in a doctorate of physical therapy degree (DPT).
A consumer oriented web site, along with a Petition for Access to Physical Therapy, has been created. The site URL is http://www.AccessYourPhysicalTherapist.com.
Texans should have the right to access their physical therapist directly for treatment. Studies show this allows for reduced medical costs and less downtime for the patient. TPTA is seeking to change the law in Texas allowing Texans to directly access physical therapists for treatment.
About the Texas Physical Therapy Association:
Formed 80 years ago, the TPTA is the representative body for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Students in the state of Texas. Our members support the Physical Therapy profession and represent all areas of practice from Orthopedics to Education. The mission of the Texas Physical Therapy Association is to improve the health and well-being of people in Texas by advancing physical therapist practice.
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These roadblocks only increases healthcare costs. An analysis of Blue Cross-Blue Shield claims showed that the total paid claims for physician referral episodes to physical therapy was 123% higher than the paid claims for direct access episodes. In addition, physician referral episodes were 65% longer and resulted in 60% more office visits than direct access episodes. (Mitchell J, de Lissovoy G. A comparison of resource use and cost in direct access versus physician referral episodes of physical therapy. Phys Ther. 1997; 77:10-18.)
According to the Texas Medical Association, in 2009 Texas ranked 43rd in shortage of primary care physicians. Healthcare Reform implementation will only amplify this shortage. Delays in a patient’s access to needed physical therapy treatments may result in longer recovery times and increased costs. The average patient in Dallas and Houston waits roughly 20 days to see a primary care physician. (Merritt Hawkins, 2009 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times).
Currently in Texas, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants, and advanced nurse practitioners of all types (midwives, clinical specialists, FNPs) are all allowed to determine if a patient needs physical therapy. Thus, the legislature has already determined that physician training is not needed to determine if physical therapy is appropriate for a patient. Physical therapists are at least as qualified, if not more, than the other professions listed to determine if a patient's condition lies within their scope. The move to post-baccalaureate for physical therapists started more than 10 years ago, and today all 12 Texas PT programs culminate in a doctorate of physical therapy degree (DPT).
A consumer oriented web site, along with a Petition for Access to Physical Therapy, has been created. The site URL is http://www.AccessYourPhysicalTherapist.com.
Texans should have the right to access their physical therapist directly for treatment. Studies show this allows for reduced medical costs and less downtime for the patient. TPTA is seeking to change the law in Texas allowing Texans to directly access physical therapists for treatment.
About the Texas Physical Therapy Association:
Formed 80 years ago, the TPTA is the representative body for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Students in the state of Texas. Our members support the Physical Therapy profession and represent all areas of practice from Orthopedics to Education. The mission of the Texas Physical Therapy Association is to improve the health and well-being of people in Texas by advancing physical therapist practice.
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Contact
Texas Physical Therapy Association
Paul Hardin
512-477-1818
www.tpta.org
Cell 512-378-0050
Paul Hardin
512-477-1818
www.tpta.org
Cell 512-378-0050
Contact
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