
We spoke with APTA’s Alice Bell, PT, DPT, senior specialist in the Health Policy and Payment department, following the major advocacy win in June. Here’s what she had to say about Aetna’s new policy and what it means for the profession.
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Inside the efforts that led to Aetna’s groundbreaking direct access policy for physical therapy.

We spoke with APTA’s Alice Bell, PT, DPT, senior specialist in the Health Policy and Payment department, following the major advocacy win in June. Here’s what she had to say about Aetna’s new policy and what it means for the profession.
Open Access
Directory of Postdoctoral ProgramsFeb 12, 2026
The postdoctoral programs listed provide opportunities for research and education post academic doctoral degree (ie, PhD) for PTs.
Open Access
Directory of Postprofessional PhD and ScD/DSc ProgramsFeb 12, 2026
The programs listed provide only postprofessional doctoral (i.e., PhD, ScD) graduate educational and research opportunities for PTs. The degrees offered
Open Access
Directory of Transition DPT ProgramsFeb 12, 2026
The following list includes the names of higher education institutions that offer a postprofessional DPT (Transition) program for physical therapists licensed