Physical Therapy
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a direct form of professional patient care. According to the "Model Definition of Physical Therapy for State Practice Acts," adopted by the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy includes the following:
- "Examination of individuals with impairment, functional limitation and disability, other health related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention."
- "Alleviating impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions."
- "Preventing injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and quality of life in people of all ages."
- "Engaging in consultation, education, and research."
Who Can Provide Physical Therapy Services?
In New York State, only licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapy assistants can provide physical therapy services in a private non-physician based outpatient setting, such as Agapé Physical Therapy. All of our physical therapists and physical therapy assistants are licensed and undergo extensive continuing education training each year. Most of our physical therapists have a minimum of a Masters degree.
What is the Difference between a Physical Therapist and a Physical Therapy Assistant in New York State?
Physical Therapist
- Required to have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited school.
- Must take and pass the New York State Physical Therapist examination for New York State licensure.
- Can provide all services that are listed above under the definition of physical therapy.
Physical Therapy Assistant
- Required to have a minimum of an Associates degree with a focus in Physical Therapy.
- Must take and pass the New York State Physical Therapy Assistant examination for New York State licensure.
- Can provide all the same services under the supervision of a physical therapist, except for the initial evaluation.
Direct Access
As of November 23, 2006, residents in New York can go directly to a Physical Therapist without being required by law, to obtain a prescription from your medical doctor. The law states stipulations including the following:
- The new law allows consumers to directly access the services of a physical therapist for 10 visits or for a period of 30 days, whichever occurs first.
- Additionally, the physical therapist needs to have 3 years of practice experience to provide direct access services.
- The legislation stipulates that the physical therapist needs to inform the consumer in writing that insurance may not cover the service and charges the State Education Department to develop the specific form's format to meet this requirement.
- The law does not change the requirement under the insurance law that health insurers need only cover physical therapy rendered pursuant to a referral. If your insurance company requires a referral, you will still need to get one.
What's Different about Agapé?
At Agapé Physical Therapy, we practice as a team. Although our patients have the choice to work with one or various therapists, our staff work together to teach and learn from each other. We have found this method of teamwork to be very beneficial as our therapists are well rounded, well educated, and remain abreast of the newest and latest techniques. Furthermore, each of Agapé's four locations are staffed with either a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or a McKenzie specialist (MDT). As a result of our teamwork and highly educated staff, our patients are able to receive the most effective physical therapy treatments available.
To see our complete and updated price list, click here or call us at (585) 637-0790.
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