PROPOSED RULES
(Board of Physical Therapy)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-07-177.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-915-180 Professional conduct principles, the proposed changes to the rule prohibit physical therapists from receiving reimbursement for evaluating or treating him or herself. The restriction is necessary to protect the public from excessive charging and an overutilization of physical therapy services. The proposed rule also requires physical therapists to only delegate physical therapy tasks to trained supportive personnel. The amendment seeks to protect the public from the delegation of physical therapy services to untrained, unskilled, and unqualified individuals.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, 310 Israel Road S.E., Room 152, Tumwater, WA 98501, on November 16, 2004, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 16, 2004.
Submit Written Comments to: Kris Waidely, Program Manager, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, e-mail kris.waidely@doh.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-9077, by November 5, 2004.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kris Waidely, Program Manager, by November 5, 2004, TTY (800) 833-6388 or (360) 236-4847.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Under RCW 18.74.023, the Board of Physical Therapy is empowered to adopt rules relating to standards of appropriateness of physical therapy care. The proposed rule protects the public from excessive charging and overutilization of physical therapy services and protects the public from the delegation of physical therapy services to untrained, unskilled, and unqualified individuals.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: By limiting the definition of a "physical therapist assistant" to those who have training as a physical therapist assistant and by requiring the physical therapist to only delegate services to individuals who meet the definition of trained supportive personnel, the board believes the public is reasonably protected. The proposed rule also addresses the concerns of professional conduct by adding an additional requirement "physical therapists shall not receive reimbursement for evaluating or treating him or herself."
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.74.023.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.74.023 and 18.130.050(12).
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of Health, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Kris Waidely, Program Manager, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-4847.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A small business economic impact statement is not required because the cost to implement the proposed rules does not exceed the threshold. The more than minimum cost threshold from "804 Office of Clinics and Other Healthcare Practitioners" is set at $110.00.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Kris Waidely, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, phone (360) 236-4847, fax (360) 664-9077, e-mail kris.waidely@doh.wa.gov.
August 30, 2004
Kris Waidely
Program Manager
OTS-7069.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 259B, filed 3/24/92,
effective 4/24/92)
WAC 246-915-180
Professional conduct principles.
(1)
The patient's lawful consent is to be obtained before any
information related to the patient is released, except to the
consulting or referring authorized health care practitioner
and/or authorized governmental agency(s).
(a) Physical therapists are responsible for answering legitimate inquiries regarding a patient's physical dysfunction and treatment progress, and
(b) Information is to be provided to insurance companies for billing purposes only.
(2) Physical therapists are not to compensate or to give anything of value to a representative of the press, radio, television, or other communication medium in anticipation of, or in return for, professional publicity in a news item. A paid advertisement is to be identified as such unless it is apparent from the context it is a paid advertisement.
(3) It is the licensee's responsibility to report any
unprofessional, incompetent or illegal acts ((which)) that are
in violation of chapter 18.74 RCW or any rules established by
the board.
(4) It is the licensee's responsibility to recognize the boundaries of his or her own professional competencies and that he or she uses only those in which he or she can prove training and experience.
(5) Physical therapists shall recognize the need for continuing education and shall be open to new procedures and changes.
(6) It is the licensee's responsibility to represent his or her academic credentials in a way that is not misleading to the public.
(7) It is the responsibility of the physical therapist to refrain from undertaking any activity in which his or her personal problems are likely to lead to inadequate performance or harm to a client and/or colleague.
(8) A physical therapist shall not use or allow to be used any form of public communication or advertising connected with his or her profession or in his or her professional capacity as a physical therapist which:
(a) Is false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading;
(b) Uses testimonials;
(c) Guarantees any treatment or result;
(d) Makes claims of professional superiority.
(9) Physical therapists are to recognize that each individual is different from all other individuals and to be tolerant of and responsive to those differences.
(10) Physical therapists shall not receive reimbursement for evaluating or treating him or herself.
(11) Physical therapists shall only delegate physical therapy tasks to trained supportive personnel as defined in WAC 246-915-010 (4)(a) and (b).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. 92-08-039 (Order 259B), § 246-915-180, filed 3/24/92, effective 4/24/92; 91-05-094 (Order 144B), § 246-915-180, filed 2/20/91, effective 3/23/91; 91-02-011 (Order 103B), recodified as § 246-915-180, filed 12/21/90, effective 1/31/91; 84-13-057 (Order PL 471), § 308-42-150, filed 6/19/84.]