PTs Now Considered Providers in N.D. as State Becomes Test Case for Direct Access

North Dakota earlier this month became the first state to define physical therapists as health care providers within its workers’ compensation system, a development that will allow therapists to serve as primary treating providers for injured workers. Stakeholders who support the change say the move is backed by numerous studies and will allow injured workers to seek direct care without physician referrals, which should open the door to better, more efficient care without unnecessary and expensive diagnostic procedures for some patients. Others, however, argue that North Dakota’s...