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The analysis of any legal or medical billing is dependent on numerous specific facts — including the factual situations present related to the patients, the practice, the professionals and the medical services and advice. Additionally, laws and regulations and insurance and payer policies are subject to change. The information that has been accurate previously can be particularly dependent on changes in time or circumstances. The information contained in this web site is intended as general information only. It is not intended to serve as medical, health, legal or financial advice or as a substitute for professional advice of a medical coding professional, healthcare consultant, physician or medical professional, legal counsel, accountant or financial advisor. If you have a question about a specific matter, you should contact a professional advisor directly. CPT copyright American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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Alabama Physical Therapy Legal Definitions

Board

The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy.

Commission

The Physical Therapy Compact Commission, the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the interstate compact.

Compact Privilege

The authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another state to practice as a PT or work as a PTA in the remote state under its laws and rules. The practice of physical therapy occurs in the state where the patient or client is located at the time of the patient or client encounter.

Compact Privilege Holder

An individual licensed as a PT or PTA in a compact state who has been granted a compact privilege by the commission.

Diagnosis for Physical Therapy

The identification of functional limitations and/or impairments and/or disabilities which are used to guide physical therapy treatments. It is not a medical diagnosis or the identification of a disease.

Direction

The action of the PT in delegating duties to a PTA, maintaining close communication with the PTA, and overseeing the PTA’s activities on a frequent regularly scheduled basis.

Foreign Educated Physical Therapist

A person trained or educated in the practice of physical therapy outside of the United States or any of its territorial possessions.

Impaired

The inability of a physical therapy licensee to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriation, excessive use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or other substances, or as a result of any physical or mental condition.

Physical Therapist

A person who practices physical therapy.

Physical Therapist Assistant

A person who assists in the practice of physical therapy and whose activities require an understanding of physical therapy but do not require professional or advanced training in the anatomical, biological, and physical sciences involved in the practice of physical therapy. The PTA shall practice only under the direction of a licensed PT.

Physical Therapy

The treatment of a human being by the use of exercise, massage, heat, cold, water, radiant energy, electricity, or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental condition or preventing the development of any physical or mental disability, or the performance of neuromuscular-skeletal tests and measurements to determine the existence and extent of body malfunction, as well as any other means or methods taught in schools or colleges which are recognized by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy, so long as they do not conflict with any other provision of this article.

Physical Therapy Aide

A person trained under the direction of a PT who performs designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy services.

Physical Therapy Licensee

A PT or PTA who is licensed under this article.

Physical Therapy Referrer

A physician licensed to practice medicine or surgery, a dentist licensed to practice dentistry, a licensed chiropractor, a licensed assistant to a physician acting pursuant to a valid supervisory agreement, or a licensed certified registered nurse practitioner in a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician.

Physiotherapist

Synonymous with the term “Physical Therapist,” and the term shall be used to identify only those persons licensed under this article. The physical therapist may use the letters “P.T.” in connection with his or her name or place of business to denote his or her registration hereunder.

Restricted License

For a PT, a license on which the board has placed restrictions or conditions, or both, as to the scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient to whom the PT may provide services.

Supervision

Direct onsite overseeing of the performance of assigned or delegated duties or functions.

Unbecoming Conduct

Incompetent, illegal, unethical, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct which violates those standards which have become accepted as obligations reasonably necessary for the protection of the public interest and for professional accountability.

Reference

Ala. Code § 34-24-191

Ala. Admin. Code § 700-X-3-.02

About Me

Zachary Edgar JD, LLM is Therapy Comply's managing partner.  Zachary is a healthcare attorney who specializes in federal and state healthcare regulatory issues particularly for physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.  

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