Physical therapists to no longer require referrals after Governor signs new law

      The first legislation signed into law out of this session will get Missourians in front of the caregivers they need more quickly and with less cost.

      Governor Mike Parson (R) on Thursday signed Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Senator Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola), which will allow people to go to physical therapists without having to first visit another doctor and get a referral. 

“Currently, patients must visit a physician before they can make an appointment with a physical therapist.  This costs the patient additional money and delays in returning to their life before the injury,” said Representative Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph), who handled the bill in the House.  “It is time for Missourians to choose their own healthcare path and get their lives back.”

Shields has spoken passionately about this proposal largely because of the role physical therapists have played in her own life.

      “I’m excited to be able to carry, I’m honored to be able to carry this bill this year.  If it wasn’t for physical therapists I would not be before this body this year.  When I had my brain bleed stroke almost seven years ago, it took them to give me back my life and I cannot thank them enough.”

      Shields said no matter what she does from here on, she expects the passage of this language will stand as a highlight of her political career.

      “You almost bring me to tears when I think about that … with my experience that I’ve had a physical therapist when I had my stroke seven years ago and the work that they did and the continued support that they gave me through my recovery.  Even when I became depressed or sad, or questioned if I was ever going to return to normal, their continued work and their support … I just really wanted to [get this passed] to thank them for the care that they provided me.”

Shields announced to her colleagues in the chamber on Thursday morning that the bill would be signed, and her physical therapist Dr. Ben Perkins was her guest in the chamber then and at the bill signing.

      Representative Deb Lavender (D-Manchester) is a physical therapist.  She said it’s frustrating to have to turn away people who come to her, knowing she could ease their pain.

“I have actually lost business in my small, private practice physical therapy because when somebody would call me and say, ‘I want to see you,’ I’d say, ‘You have to see the physician first.’”

      The proposal has been around for years in the legislature, with Governor Parson saying he handled it early in his legislative career which began in 2005.

“I couldn’t be more pleased signing this, being the first bill that we’re really going to sign,” said Parson.  “I think one thing we learned is how important healthcare is no matter where you live in the State of Missouri, and how many opportunities people have to get it.  By doing this bill we’re going to expand that to many more people and cut a lot of bureaucracy out of the way simply to care for people, and I think that’s what we all wanted to do.”

      Under the bill, a physical therapist can refer a patient to another health care provider if they exhibit certain conditions which the physical therapist is unable to treat, or if the patient’s condition doesn’t improve within 30 days or ten visits. 

      The House voted on April 12 to pass SB 51, 146-2.  With its signing, Missouri joins 47 other states who already allowed people to go to physical therapists without first getting a referral.  The bill’s provisions take effect August 28.