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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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Georgia PT Aides

What is the definition of an aide?

"Physical therapy aide" means a person who only performs designated and supervised physical therapy tasks. The physical therapy aide must receive direct supervision and must be directed on the premises at all times by a licensee. Physical therapy aides are not licensed.

What can an aide do?

"Designated physical therapy tasks," shall be limited to the following:

Physical therapy aides may perform the following tasks independent of supervision by a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant:

  • Clerical tasks excluding treatment documentation.
    •  "Treatment Documentation" is defined for purposes of this Rule as the creation, generation, composition of any patient care report and shall include but not be limited to patient evaluations, assessment, plans of care, goals, progress notes, consultation reports, discharge summaries and any other written materials related to patient management.
    • Nothing shall preclude a physical therapy aide from transcribing, recording or copying treatment documentation generated by a licensee of this chapter. Any treatment documentation prepared in this or any manner, however, must be signed by the supervising licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and by signing the treatment documentation, the licensee is representing that he or she either prepared the treatment documentation or supervised a physical therapy aide in the preparation of the treatment documentation consistent with the Laws and Rules Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy in the State of Georgia.
  • Transporting patients;
  • Assembling and disassembling equipment in treatment areas;
  • Housekeeping activities.

The physical therapy aide, at the discretion of the licensee, may provide supportive activities to patient care.  Supportive activities or patient care tasks do not include the direct provision of any patient intervention but do include only assisting a patient in preparation for treatment by a licensee, assisting a patient after cessation of treatment by a licensee, or assisting the licensee during treatment provided by that licensee.

Licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are the only providers of physical therapy.

What is an aide expressly prohibited from doing?

Supportive activities or patient care tasks do not include the direct provision of any patient intervention.

What type of supervision is required?

The physical therapy aide must have direct supervision on the premises at all times when providing supportive activities for the physical therapist or the physical therapist assistant.

  • "Direct supervision" shall mean on the premises and immediately available at all times.
  •  "On the premises" shall mean the immediate area of the patient.

What is the ratio between supervising PTs and aides?

A licensee of this chapter may supervise a maximum of two (2) physical therapy aides when they are aiding the licensee's provision of patient evaluation and intervention.

Reference

O.C.G.A § 43-33-3

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 490-8-.02


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