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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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Texas Physical Therapy Definitions

These definitions have been edited for clarity.

Accredited Curriculum in Physical Therapy Education

A body of courses in a physical therapy program at a school, college, or university which has satisfied the accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education.

Accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Program

A body of courses at a school, college, or university which has satisfied the accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education.

Asymptomatic

Without obvious signs or symptoms of disease.

Board

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

Emergency Circumstance

An instance in which emergency medical care is necessary.

Emergency Medical Care

Bona fide emergency services provided after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

Endorsement

The process by which the board issues a license to a person currently licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States that maintains professional standards considered by the board to be substantially equivalent to those set forth in the Act.

Evaluation

A dynamic process in which the physical therapist makes clinical judgments based on data gathered during the examination.

Evidence Satisfactory to the Board

Should all official school records be destroyed, sworn affidavits satisfactory to the board must be received from three persons having personal knowledge of the applicant's physical therapy education. These affidavits will not be used when official school records are available.

Examination

A comprehensive screening and specific testing process leading to diagnostic classification or, as appropriate, to a referral to another practitioner. The examination has three components: the patient/client history, the systems review, and tests and measures.

Executive Council

The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners.

Foreign-Trained Applicant

Any applicant whose entry-level professional physical therapy education was obtained at a physical therapy program outside the U.S., its territories, or the District of Columbia.

Hearing

An adjudicative proceeding concerning the issuance, denial, suspension, reprimand, revocation of license, after which the legal rights of an applicant or licensee are to be determined by the board.

Jurisprudence Exam

An open-book examination made up of multiple-choice and/or true/false questions covering information contained in the Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board rules.

On-Site Supervision

The PT or PTA is on the premises and readily available to respond.

Physical Therapist

A person who is licensed in Texas as a PT and practices physical therapy.

Physical Therapist Assistant

A person licensed by the board as a PTA assistant:

  • Who assists and is supervised by a PT in the practice of physical therapy; and
  • Whose activities require an understanding of physical therapy.

Physical Therapy

A form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects, or alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction or pain of anatomic or physiologic origin.

Physical Therapy Aide

A person:

  • Who aids in the practice of physical therapy under the on-site supervision of a PT or a PTA; and
  • Whose activities require on-the-job training.

Referring Practitioner

A qualified licensed health care professional who, within the scope of professional licensure, may refer a person for health care services.  The term includes:

  • A physician licensed to practice medicine by a state board of medical examiners;
  • A dentist licensed by a state board of dental examiners;
  • A chiropractor licensed by a state board of chiropractic examiners;  and
  • A podiatrist licensed by a state board of podiatric medical examiners.

Supervision

The delegation and continuing direction by a person or persons responsible for the practice of PT, PTA, or physical therapy aide as specified in the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Reference

3 Tex. Occ. Code § 453.001

3 Tex. Occ. Code § 453.302

22 Tex. Admin. Code §321.1

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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