Prescription rights for PT's. (Full Version)

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ptdan23 -> Prescription rights for PT's. (December 3, 2007 11:13:24 AM)

As we progress to greater freedom, hopefully, with the DPT and direct access one thing I think needs to be addressed is our ability to write scripts for medical equipment such as TENS units, etc and have it be covered by the insurance companies.  Does anyone know, first if this is being addressed already in any states and two, what legally needs to be changed or updated for this to happen?

Dan



jma -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (December 3, 2007 1:00:32 PM)

In NY, I don't think this is addressed at all. Prescriptions for equipment must be written by an MD for it to be covered by insurance. Maybe this can one day change.



Shill -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (December 3, 2007 1:46:48 PM)

Couldnt agree more.  What a waste of time, as well as insurance dollars to require an MD script for a stinking walker/cane/insert device name here.  This is one of the most ridiculous things we cant yet do.  After all, it is often PTs who decide what the patient may need, and yet we have to get the go-ahead from someone else to actually obtain the device. 

Can anyone make sense of this?  I can see if these were narcotic lollipops, but come on people.



ptdan23 -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (December 5, 2007 10:04:47 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shill

Couldnt agree more.  What a waste of time, as well as insurance dollars to require an MD script for a stinking walker/cane/insert device name here.  This is one of the most ridiculous things we cant yet do.  After all, it is often PTs who decide what the patient may need, and yet we have to get the go-ahead from someone else to actually obtain the device. 

Can anyone make sense of this?  I can see if these were narcotic lollipops, but come on people.


Exactly my point.  We are the experts on assistive devices and how to use them and train the patient to use them.  If we determine that a piece of DME is appropriate for our patient why do we have to get a script from the doc just to get it covered by the insurance.  It is totally pointless and a waste of time.  Just another example of insurance controlling how we can practice.
Dan



cej7 -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (December 9, 2007 1:19:48 AM)

I too am growing frustrated with the costly, time consuming hoops required to get rather simple things done. As I posted on another forum, in our clinic, we are observing a fast growing trend in hospital-based PT programs of incorporating a nurse practitioner into the practice in order to have someone (the NP) who can write a referral to a specialist, order imaging/tests, and prescribe medications... Aside from that particular 'service', the NP is useless to the practice. Meanwhile physiotherapists in England & Australia have extended scope practitioners who have taken on this role, like those in the US military.

Is there a taskforce in the US working on making this an option for PTs here in the states?? (Nothing on APTA website.) I find it ridiculous to add a NPs salary to our budget for something I think many of us could handle. Swift and steady changes seem to be happening within the nursing profession allowing them to gain autonomy and make needed changes in their practice privileges. (Maybe there's room on their coattails!)

https://apa.advsol.com.au/staticcontent/staticpages/position_statements/public/RoleDefinition.pdf

http://www.csp.org.uk/director/libraryandpublications/publications.cfm?item_id=74C875D8085ABC6E7ABD05FF0C05A693



ptdan23 -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (January 21, 2008 6:52:45 PM)

cej7...
I looked at the first link from the APA.  I like the idea of an "extended scope practitioner."  I think some provinces in Canada do this as well.  I think the MD's and other practitioners would have a fit if it were to come to fruition in the US but I would embrace it and think it would lead to better health care as we are able to provide care that we are qualified to perform without having to get signatures, etc.   Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy collaborating with other professions and I think that can lead to great outcomes but I just want to be able to do what I should be able to do for my patient without having to go through the hoops of getting signatures.  A lot of time this is a formality anyway.
Dan



blast7 -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (February 10, 2008 2:48:24 PM)

I would urge everyone to contact the APTA in regards to this point.  We need to lobby for this.



Tom Reeves DPT ATC -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (February 11, 2008 9:23:06 AM)

I don't want anything to do with pharm prescription rights.  I would like imaging.  I don't think that we have enough training to recommend meds. those available over the counter maybe, but we can do that now can't we.




T_Thom -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (February 11, 2008 5:16:36 PM)

I did not think we could give any advice on meds, including OTC other than 'consult with your physician first' or telling patients 'if this is what you would normally do, an NSAID would be appropriate in your case'. I would also like the ability to use iontophoresis and prescription wound care supplies without the hassle of chasing down the PCP for something in writing. I think if a PA can be considered competent with prescribing rights (having only a bachelors or a masters degree) we would be able to learn and appropriately prescribe a very limited set of meds.



Tom Reeves DPT ATC -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (February 11, 2008 6:48:14 PM)

We certainly would be able to learn it, but it has not been a part of our curriculum until only very recently, and even then, it is rudimentary.  I figure that if we can prescribe Tylenol to our kids then we can recommend it to our patients.  I always ask if they are on other meds they should talk to their physician or pharmacist.  i as if they have kidney or liver disease or if they have a history of ulcers.  Most of them will know that "they are allergic to aspirin" which usually means that their GI system doesn't handle it well.

I get nervous when people start talking about prescription rights.  It leads to the slippery  slope of neurontin, baclofen, medrol dose packs etc . . . 



blast7 -> RE: Prescription rights for PT's. (February 18, 2008 12:22:38 AM)

I would leave the pharm prescription rights to the MD's.  I'm even nervous about PA's and NP's being able to prescribe. 



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