SB237 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Physical therapy, practice without referral by a physician or other health care practitioner further provided for, Secs. 34-24-210.1 am'd.

Summary

SB237 would let licensed physical therapists perform initial evaluations and certain physical therapy services without a referral in specific circumstances.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Alabama law to allow a licensed physical therapist to conduct an initial evaluation or screening without a prescription or referral. It also allows many physical therapy services to be provided without a referral in defined settings, such as care for children with developmental disabilities, home health, nursing homes, wellness activities, and for previously diagnosed conditions with certain timeframes. After an initial period (up to 30 days) or unless there is measurable improvement, a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner in a collaborative practice would be required to continue care. The bill requires the therapist to inform the diagnosing provider and, in certain cases, to provide a plan of care within specified timeframes, and it states that health plans are not compelled to cover these no-referral services. It would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Licensed physical therapists, who would be authorized to perform initial evaluations and a broader set of PT services without a referral in certain situations.
• Patients receiving PT in settings such as home health, nursing homes, or wellness contexts, or those with a previously diagnosed condition, who could access PT without a referral for specific cases.
• Physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who would provide referrals after an initial no-referral period for ongoing care.
• Health insurance plans and other payers, which would not be required by this bill to cover or reimburse the no-referral PT services.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 34-24-210.1 to allow a licensed physical therapist to perform an initial evaluation or screening without prescription/referral to determine the need for physical therapy.
• Permits certain PT services to be performed without prescription/referral in defined categories: (1) children with developmental disabilities under a plan of care; (2) home health patients under a care plan; (3) nursing home patients under a care plan; (4) wellness/fitness-related activities for injury prevention or stress reduction; (5) previously diagnosed conditions with a plan of care communicated to the diagnosing provider within 15 days; (6) medically stable individuals for up to 30 days, after which a referral is required unless there is measurable improvement.
• After 30 days, ongoing PT requires a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, PA under supervision, or NP in a collaborative practice with a physician, unless there is measurable or functional improvement.
• Requires the PT to inform the diagnosing provider and, for applicable cases, provide a plan of care within specified timeframes; clarifies that health plans are not obligated to cover these no-referral services.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor (or later as provided by law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Physical Therapists