Is a referral required to provide PT services?

A referral is required if treatment lasts over 90 days.

A PT may not treat human ailments by physical therapy after an initial 90-day period of patient admittance to treatment has lapsed, except by the order or referral or when a previous diagnosis exists indicating an ongoing condition warranting physical therapy treatment, subject to periodic review.

No PT licensed less than one (1) year may treat human ailments, without referral, by physical therapy treatment without first having practiced one (1) year in collaboration with a PT with more than one (1) year of experience or under a physician's orders or referrals as verified by the board's records.

Exceptions to the referral requirement?

The 90-day limitation of treatment by a PT without an order or referral does not apply to prevention, wellness, education, or exercise.

Which providers can issue the referral?

"Licensed health care professional" or "licensed health care provider" means a person licensed in good standing in Minnesota to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, podiatry, dentistry, or advanced practice nursing, when orders or referrals are made in collaboration with a physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, or dentist, and whose license is in good standing.

When does a PT have to refer a patient to a physician?

If a patient's medical condition is determined by the PT to be beyond the scope of practice of that PT, the PT must refer the patient to a licensed health care professional. A PT shall modify or terminate treatment of a patient that is not beneficial to the patient or that is not tolerated by the patient and shall notify the patient's health care provider of the modification or termination of treatment.

Reference

Minn. Stat. §148.65

Minn. Stat. §148.76

Minn. R. 5601.2000