Kansas Statutes

Statute 65-2921: Evaluation and treatment by physical therapists; when referral is required; exceptions. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), (c) or (d), a physical therapist may evaluate patients without physician referral but may initiate treatment only after approval by a licensed physician, a licensed podiatrist, a licensed physician assistant or an advanced registered nurse practitioner working pursuant to the order or direction of a licensed physician, a licensed chiropractor, a licensed dentist or licensed optometrist in appropriately related cases. Physical therapists may initiate physical therapy treatment with the approval of a practitioner of the healing arts duly licensed under the laws of another state and may provide such treatment based upon an order by such practitioner in any setting in which physical therapists would be authorized to provide such treatment with the approval of a physician licensed by the board, notwithstanding any provisions of the Kansas healing arts act or any rules and regulations adopted by the board thereunder.

      (b)   Physical therapists may evaluate and treat a patient for no more than 30 consecutive calendar days without a referral under the following conditions: (1) The patient has previously been referred to a physical therapist for physical therapy services by a person authorized by this section to approve treatment; (2) the patient's referral for physical therapy was made within one year from the date a physical therapist implements a program of physical therapy treatment without a referral; (3) the physical therapy being provided to the patient without referral is for the same injury, disease or condition as indicated in the referral for such previous injury, disease or condition; and (4) the physical therapist transmits to the physician or other practitioner identified by the patient a copy of the initial evaluation no later than five business days after treatment commences. Treatment for more than 30 consecutive calendar days of such patient shall only be upon the approval of a person authorized by this section to approve treatment.

      (c)   Physical therapists may provide, without a referral, services which do not constitute treatment for a specific condition, disease or injury to: (1) Employees solely for the purpose of education and instruction related to workplace injury prevention; or (2) the public for the purpose of fitness, health promotion and education.

      (d)   Physical therapists may provide services without a referral to special education students who need physical therapy services to fulfill the provisions of their individualized education plan (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP).

      History:   L. 2007, ch. 177, § 21; May 17.