Governor Snyder Signs Direct Consumer Access Bill, 34 Years in the Making
Michigan (PRWEB) July 03, 2014 -- With over three decades dedicated to the Direct Access agenda, local physical therapist Holly Lookabaugh-Deur can finally see the end in sight. The Direct Consumer Access bill was signed by Governor Snyder this morning. Previously, it was passed in the House of Representatives on June 11 and in the Senate on May 20. The bill grants consumers the option of seeking physical therapy services without first receiving a physician referral. These patients will be allowed to visit a physical therapist up to 10 times or 30 days from the beginning of treatment before the physical therapist is required to contact their primary physician.
“Michigan is the last of 50 states to recognize the important role that a physical therapist can play in prevention, assessment and intervention with injury and recovery. This is such an important day for health care in Michigan… Independence day came early for Michigan Physical Therapists!” says Holly Lookbaugh-Deur.
Lookabaugh-Deur is the founder of Generation Care, a total care rehabilitation and wellness organization with three locations across West Michigan in Grand Haven, Muskegon and Grand Rapids. Being able to service people in need of physical therapy services without a physician’s referral will significantly ease the process of therapy, reducing additional costs and the amount of time it takes for prospective patients to schedule appointments with a licensed physical therapist.
“The relationship between therapist and physician can potentially be even stronger than it is today – with great communication and interaction, therapists can assist linking patients to physicians earlier in the process if needed,” Deur added.
The Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA) has been working on the Direct Access agenda for 34 years. Michigan is the last state to pass the Direct Consumer Access legislature for physical therapists. States that have already passed this bill have shown reduced health care costs, improved patient outcomes and safe consumer environments. Many physical therapy graduates have left Michigan after receiving their doctorate degree to practice in states where this is no longer an issue. Passing this bill may encourage more graduates to practice in the state of their alma mater.
For more information about Generation Care, please visit: http://www.generationcare.org.
Generation Care is a total care rehabilitation and wellness organization dedicated to all ages and all conditions, even the most complex cases. Founded in 1999, Generation Care now has three outpatient clinics in Muskegon, Grand Haven, and Grand Rapids as well as partnerships with Newaygo Medical Care Facility, North Ottawa Community Hospital System and Brookhaven Medical Care Facility. Services offered include physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports care, speech and language pathology, pediatric therapy, wellness and medical fitness and specialized programs.
Kim Bode, 834 Design & Marketing, 616.299.2677, [email protected]
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