Physical Therapy Prescription
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In the United States, a physical therapy prescription, sometimes called an order or a referral, is a written or electronic document from a medical practitioner authorizing the the need for a physical therapy evaluation and or treatment.
Prescription formats can vary widely, but usually include the following information:
- Name and birthday of patient
- One or more International Classification of Diseases diagnosis code(s), associated with the need for physical therapy treatment
- A written explanation of the chief complaint or reason for the need for physical therapy intervention
- Recommended frequency of treatment
- Authorized length of the plan of care
- Name, signature, and license or identification number of medical practitioner authorizing care
- Name of clinic or institution medical practitioner is associated with, if applicable
- Contact information of medical practitioner
Sometimes a prescription will only be for a physical therapy evaluation, but no treatment. In this case, the physical therapy evaluation will be performed and the documentation will be sent back to the medical practitioner who sent the prescription, who will then decide whether to write a new prescription for further physical therapy treatment.
In the United States, Physical Therapists are only allowed to accept physical therapy prescriptions from specific types of medical practitioners. Since physical therapy licenses are managed by each state individually, each state dictates this list. Generally acceptable medical practitioners include:
- Physicians
- Surgeons
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners
- Dentists
- Chiropractors
COMPONENTS OF A THERAPY PRESCRIPTION[edit | edit source]
Identifying Information[edit | edit source]
Including the patient’s name, date of birth, medical record numbers, etc.… along with the date the prescription was written.
Discipline[edit | edit source]
Indicate physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy(OT). other disciplines includes athletic training, exercise physiology,
massage therapy, recreational therapy, even speech and language pathology.
