Relating to the referral of a patient for diagnostic imaging by a physical therapist

This bill authorizes a physical therapist, as part of the physical therapy patient evaluation and treatment described in the definition of and authorization for physical therapy, to order diagnostic imaging to be performed and interpreted by other appropriately licensed health care professionals. Unless a patient does not have a primary care provider, a physical therapist who orders diagnostic imaging shall report the diagnostic imaging results to the patient’s designated primary care provider within seven days following receipt of the results to ensure patient coordination of care. The bill directs the board of physical and occupational therapy to adopt administrative rules to administer the bill and to ensure patient coordination of care. Under the bill, “diagnostic imaging” means medical imaging technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions. “Diagnostic imaging” includes but is not limited to ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray imaging, and computed tomography.