Companion legislation supported by APTA has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that could significantly improve patient access to physical therapy. The Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act (H.R. 1517/S. 2225) proposes to extend the use of locum tenens arrangements to licensed physical therapists treating Medicare beneficiaries across all geographic areas.

Currently, this flexibility is only available to PTs practicing in rural or underserved areas. The proposed legislation would allow any PT to bring in a licensed substitute PT to treat Medicare patients during short-term absences — such as for illness, vacation, pregnancy, or continuing education — while maintaining Medicare reimbursement.

This practice, recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as "reciprocal billing and fee-for-service," helps ensure continuity of care for patients without creating unnecessary billing or coverage complications.

APTA successfully championed similar legislation in 2016 for rural and underserved settings and has continued to advocate for nationwide expansion. Extending this policy to all PTs would reduce administrative barriers and improve patient access to uninterrupted care.

“Access to consistent, uninterrupted care from a physical therapist is essential to achieving the best possible outcomes for patients,” said APTA President Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD. “The Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act strengthens that access by empowering PTs with the tools and flexibility needed to deliver continuous, high-quality care — no matter the location of their clinics.”