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SB 144

Health occupations: physical therapists; prescription requirement for physical therapy treatment; eliminate, and make other modifications to the practice of physical therapy. Amends secs. 17801, 17820, 17822, 17824 & 17825 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17801 et seq.) & adds sec. 17825a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sylvia Santana

Michigan bill eliminates physician prescription requirement for physical therapy, allowing direct patient access to licensed therapists while modifying practice regulations.

referred to second reading
#healthoccupations:physicaltherapists #health:occupations #stateagencies(existing):licensingandregulatoryaffairs
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Bill Summary · SB 144

Legislative bill overview

SB 144 eliminates the requirement for Michigan patients to obtain a physician's prescription before receiving physical therapy treatment, allowing direct access to licensed physical therapists. The bill modifies several sections of Michigan's physical therapy practice regulations and adds new provisions governing physical therapist scope of practice and patient care protocols.

Why is this important

Direct-access physical therapy can reduce healthcare costs by allowing patients to seek treatment without first visiting a physician, potentially decreasing wait times and out-of-pocket expenses. However, it shifts responsibility for initial diagnosis and screening from physicians to physical therapists, raising questions about appropriate patient safety oversight and the identification of underlying medical conditions that may require physician referral.

Potential points of contention

  • Patient safety concerns: Removing the prescription requirement means physical therapists will become primary screeners for patient conditions; there's uncertainty about whether all therapists will adequately identify serious medical conditions requiring physician evaluation
  • Scope of practice boundaries: The bill expands physical therapist autonomy significantly, which may create friction with physicians' organizations concerned about loss of referral control and diagnostic authority
  • Insurance and liability implications: Unclear how insurance coverage will respond to direct-access claims, and whether physical therapists' malpractice liability increases without physician gatekeeping

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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