According to Medicare, I'm able to work under the direction of an MD. Imagine what that could do to the outpatient market in some areas. As a PTA, I could set up a clinic, hire an MD and begin to provide care based on the MD's plan of treatment. Of course the state rules would try to prevent this but I'm pretty sure federal law trumps state law ...

As I was perusing the various state board websites, I noticed several states offered licenses to PTs but required the PTA to have a certificate to practice and provide therapy care. I've been awarded certificates in achievement, performance and even have one as a geriatric wellness specialist. My children come home from school with certificates in ...

Once again, I was searching the state board websites and came across some applications that asked whether the prospective licensee had a disease or condition that interfered with the ability to perform the essential functions of the profession. If so, the PT or PTA was expected to give supporting documentation about this condition. I guess this ...

SAN DIEGO--In a two-part session to accommodate a wide range of topics on Medicare and federal health care law changes, APTA presented ''Emerging Issues in Medicare and Federal Affairs: What Every PT Needs to Know'' to a packed audience on Wednesday at CSM. The first point the speakers felt attendees needed to know was that its government affairs ...

SAN DIEGO--APTA's Governmental Affairs office--recently renamed the Public Policy, Practicer and Professional Affairs Unit--is gathering steam to confront issues in state legislatures that have an impact on the profession. At the top of the priority list, without a doubt, are the impending changes to health care reform once the Affordable ...

King of Prussia---I'm looking forward to attending this year's Combined Sections Meeting nexk week in (what we hope is) sunny San Diego! It will be a nice change of pace from last year's meeting, which was a lot of fun, but also quite chilly in the Windy City. We here at ADVANCE's offices in the Philly suburbs need warmth--and fast! While members ...

This year I want to hear from fellow PTAs. I want to know your thoughts on healthcare changes, working relationships with PTs, and your ideas about increasing the PTA education to a bachelor's level as well as your feelings towards the APTA and the PTA profession. I would ask that you do a bit of research on reimbursement rates in Kansas for PTA ...

In the mail, I received several brochures advertising how to evaluate and treat multiple body parts. All therapy disciplines were invited to attend. Being a PTA, I don't evaluate people so I wonder if I could get a discount because the evaluation aspect of those courses wouldn't directly benefit me in my chosen profession. I'd like to see more ...

Reading Jason Marketti's blog last week reminded me of a discussion we're having here in Texas. It's called RC-3 and is an amendment to the Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act. It proposes unlicensed individuals such as athletic trainers and massage therapists be used as PT extenders. These extenders are to provide care as directed by the physical ...

I'm sure there are some people who'd like to see the PTA profession disappear and have every patient treated only by a PT. And for those who feel like that, let's discuss what we should do with the PTAs. But first the United States needs to open its borders to more foreign-educated physical therapists to take the place of the PTAs currently ...