Bill > H2025

This bill directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA), a state agency that collects and analyzes health care data, to conduct a study on potential cost savings related to physical therapy treatments. Specifically, the CHIA will examine the costs incurred by the Commonwealth, patients, and health plans, as well as the overall expenses within the healthcare system, for physical therapy provided by licensed professionals. The study will compare the costs associated with physical therapy when a patient is referred by a physician versus when a patient can directly access physical therapy services without a physician's referral, a concept known as "self-referral" or "direct access care." The findings of this study will be compiled into a report and submitted to the Joint Committee on Public Health, the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and the legislative clerks by December 31, 2015.