Advocate for HB 107 – Improving Patient Access to PT

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

Communicate Physical Therapy Association Support for 2016 legislation removing Barriers to Care & Improving Patient Access to Rehabilitative Care – HB 107 by Rep. , R- Orange Park. HB 107 will likely be heard in the House Health & Human Services Committee, Thursday, January 14 at 8:00 a.m.

Situation: The language in HB 107 is legislation the FPTA supported during the 2015 Legislative Session that passed the Florida House of Representatives 112-4. The legislation begins to remove barriers to care improving patient access caused by the current 21-day limit on direct access. The bill also ensures seasonal visitors with a referral or consult from a physician licensed in another state can continue care without interruption, and includes language protecting the title of physical therapist.

TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION: Please begin to schedule meetings or contact legislators serving on the House Health & Human Services Committee and politely ask them to support HB 107 as sponsored by Rep. Travis Cummings. Again, this bill passed the Florida House of Representatives 112-4 during the 2015 Legislative Session, and is language the FPTA and Florida Orthopedic Society agree on.

You may wish to state:

1. It improves the continuity of active rehabilitative care which has been disrupted by an existing arbitrary limitation to a patient maintaining direct access to a physical therapist for only 21 days, by increasing the limit to 30 days; 2. Ensures seasonal visitors with a referral or consult from a physician licensed in another state can continue care without interruption; 3. The bill ensures the appropriate use of the title of physical therapist.

Granting patients full access to physical therapist services has proven to be safe and results in better health outcomes, more timely care, higher patient satisfaction, and lower costs. A 2011 study published in the journal Health Services Research found the average cost for PT claims was lower for patients who visited a PT directly ($347) than for patients referred by a physician ($420). Other findings include patient direct access patients had 86% fewer visits on average than referred patients, and that patient direct access did not correlate with overuse or decreased quality.

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HOUSE HEALTH HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE Contact Information 2016 Legislative Session

Member District District Phone Number Capitol Phone Number Capitol Office Email Address

Rep. R-Sanford (407) 302-4800 (850) 717-5028 214 House Office Building [email protected] (Chair) Rep. MaryLynn Magar R-Hobe Sound (772) 545-3481 (850) 717-5082 400 House Office Building [email protected] (Vice Chair) Rep. Mia Jones D-Jacksonville (904) 924-1615 (850) 717-5014 316 The Capitol [email protected] (Minority Ranking Member) Rep. R-Hialeah (305) 953-2932 (850) 717-5111 1301 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. D-Boynton Beach (561) 374-7850 (850) 717-5090 1003 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. R-Lakeland (863) 413-2640 (850) 717-5040 1301 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke- D-Pompano Beach (954) 786-4848 (850) 717-5092 200 House Office Building [email protected] Reede Rep. Fred Costello R-Port Orange (386) 304-5511 (850) 717-5025 1301 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. D-Tampa (813) 673-4673 (850) 717-5062 1003 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. Travis Cummings R-Orange Park (904) 278-5761 (850) 717-5018 222 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. D-Sunrise (954) 838-1371 (850) 717-5098 1401 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. R-Stuart (772) 221-4011 (850) 717-5083 214 House Office Building [email protected]

Rep. Shevrin Jones D-West Park (954) 893-5010 (850) 717-5101 1401 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. Cary Pigman R-Sebring (863) 386-6000 (850) 717-5055 214 House Office Building [email protected]

Rep. R-Palm Coast (386) 446-7644 (850) 717-5024 1102 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. Kenneth Roberson R-Port Charlotte (941) 613-0914 (850) 717-5075 214 House Office Building [email protected]

Rep. R-Clearwater (727) 793-2810 (850) 717-5065 1101 The Capitol [email protected]

Rep. R-Panama City (850) 914-6300 (850) 717-5006 1101 The Capitol [email protected]