A new trend in the profession of physical therapy is a push for physical therapists to treat patients through direct access. This means that patients can seek out a physical therapist directly without first obtaining a referral from their primary care provider. Increased wait times to see MDs mean that waiting for a referral can be a lengthy process, delaying care and ultimately resulting in a longer return to activity.
Direct access ensures that patients can be seen in a timely manner and begin their plan of care sooner. Currently, New York law states that a person can seek out physical therapy services directly for 10 visits or 30 days (whichever occurs first) before being required to obtain a referral from their primary care provider. This is very helpful for certain soft tissue injuries (including but not limited to) lateral ankle sprains, muscle strains, or any other injury type where a systemic cause is not suspected.
Physical therapists are trained to differentiate between soft tissue, systemic, and potential structural causes and can recommend a trip to your PCP if the issue is suspected to not be musculoskeletal in nature. It is worth noting, however, that different states have different rules and regulations regarding this, so make sure to do a quick check if you are seeking direct access to physical therapy in a state other than New York.
