1.Everything you need to know for the 2019 Texas Legislative Session: TPTA’s priorities and issues impacting physical therapy
Capital Area District Meeting
January 14, 2019
Janet Bezner, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach
2.Outline
Law vs. association policy
2019 TPTA Legislative priorities
Direct access
Path for a bill to become law
Benefits of direct access
Ways you can be involved and support direct access becoming a reality
3.Objectives
Discuss legislative initiatives expected to be considered during the 2019 Texas Legislature
Understand and discuss the value of direct access for the patient, the insurance company, and physical therapist practice
Take action to contact their legislators to discuss the benefits of direct access and discuss direct access with their patients
4.Physical Therapist Practice
Law
Rules
Minimum Standards
Excellence
Aspirational
5.2019 TPTA Legislative Initiatives
Direct Access
Concussion legislation – return to play decisions
Physical Therapist ability to issue disability placards
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8.Direct Access Details
PT must be licensed to practice for at least one year
Covered by liability insurance at the minimum amount required by board rule
Must have a DPT degree OR completed 30 hours of CEU in differential dx
Can treat no more than 30 days, then need an MD referral
9.Process to Become Law
10.Other Potential Legislation
Concussion Legislation
In 2017, the chiropractors passed a similar bill (HB 3024)
Would add physical therapists to the list of providers who can make a decision about removing a student from practice or competition following a concussion
Physical Therapists Evaluate for Disability Placards
MD, podiatrist, optometrist, qualifying PA or APN can complete form currently
APTA policy supports (next slide)
11.APTA Position
SOCIETAL ACCESS TO AND RECOGNITION OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS FOR DISABILITY EVALUATION AND DETERMINATION HOD P06-17-08-06 [Initial: HOD P06-14-14-19; Formerly Titled: Physical Therapists as Qualified to Determine Mobility Status for Patients and Clients Applying for Disability Placards, Disability License Plates, or Paratransit Services] [Position]
The American Physical Therapy Association supports increased societal access to and recognition of physical therapists for disability evaluation and determination for health, recreation, employment, legal, regulatory, transportation, and insurance purposes.
12.Why Direct Access?
13.Benefits of Direct Access
Improved access to care
Shortage of PCP in Texas (47th out of 50 state)
Faster access to physical therapy and better recovery as a result
Better health outcomes
Patients who directly access PT use fewer opioids, imaging, ER, and surgery
2018 Health Services Research study: patients with LBP who saw a PT first had an 89% lower probability of opioid prescription
2018 JAMA study found that early PT associated with a 10% reduction in opioid use in patients with neck, shoulder, knee and LBP
Patients in states that restrict access to PT have significantly higher rates of opioid prescriptions and direct access to PT results in a significant decrease in opioid prescription
Lower health care costs
Numerous studies show that direct access to PT lowers out of pocket costs and total paid health care claims
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17.A vote against direct access to physical therapists is a vote for more opioid use
18.What can you do?
Know who your state House Representative is and your Senator
https://house.texas.gov/members/find-your-representative/
Become a key contact (contact me at jb25@txstate.edu)
Visit legislators in Austin or in their home district (identify yourself as a constituent and talk to them about one bill at a time/per visit)
Attend TPTA Legislative Day – February 19
Attend TPTA Reception on February 5 at Texas State of Reform Conference and invite your legislator to the reception (next slide)
Discuss the benefits of direct access
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20.What can you do?
Ask your Representative to support HB 29
Ask your Senator to support the Senate Bill
Call, text, or fax when you receive an email from TPTA before a critical vote
Support the TPTA PAC (donations to legislators make a difference)
Provide your patients with the patient flyer, put it in your waiting room (next slide)
21.Brochure sent via email Tuesday, January 8 via TPTA GAC Insider
22.Better Together!
Thank you
jb25@txstate.edu
@jbezner