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HB 25-1016

Occupational Therapist Prescribe Medical Equipment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 37 co-sponsors

OTs gain authority to prescribe medical equipment/DME, enabling direct orders for patients and speeding access, while reshaping workflows and billing.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · HB 25-1016

Summary — HB 25‑1016: Occupational Therapist Prescribe Medical Equipment

Status: Governor signed (March 31, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025

Main purpose

HB 25‑1016 authorizes occupational therapists to prescribe medical equipment. The bill expands the scope of practice for licensed occupational therapists so they may order, prescribe, or otherwise authorize certain medical equipment and supplies for their patients.

Key provisions (high-level)

  • Grants prescriptive authority to occupational therapists for specified medical equipment or durable medical equipment (DME).
  • Modifies applicable scope‑of‑practice language and regulatory authority to allow occupational therapists to perform functions previously restricted to other licensed prescribers.
  • Includes provisions (typical in scope‑of‑practice bills) that may address documentation requirements, patient assessment standards, and limits or conditions on the types of equipment that can be prescribed.
    Note: The official enrolled bill text should be consulted for precise lists, limits, and procedural requirements (e.g., required orders, co-signatures, collaborative practice or supervision requirements, and any training or certification expectations).

Who is affected

  • Patients receiving occupational therapy: potentially increased access to timely equipment and streamlined services when OTs can directly prescribe needed devices.
  • Occupational therapists: expanded professional responsibilities and potential new documentation, training, and liability considerations.
  • Physicians and other prescribers: changes in referral and ordering workflows; possible reduction of some administrative tasks.
  • Insurers and payers: may need to adjust billing rules and provider credentialing to recognize OT prescriptions for DME.
  • Medical equipment suppliers and durable medical equipment providers: administrative and compliance updates to accept prescriptions from occupational therapists.

Potential impacts

  • Improved access and coordination of care: patients may receive needed equipment faster because OTs who evaluate functional needs can both assess and authorize equipment.
  • Administrative and reimbursement changes: payers may need to update policies and credentialing; providers should prepare for billing and documentation changes.
  • Regulatory and training implications: licensing boards and agencies may define implementing rules, required documentation standards, and any limits on prescriptive authority.
  • Liability and oversight: with expanded authority may come revised malpractice exposure and professional oversight.

Legislative and procedural timeline

  • Introduced in House: Jan 8, 2025 (assigned to Health & Human Services)
  • House passed (2nd & 3rd readings): Jan 22–23, 2025
  • Senate committee referrals and passage with amendments: Jan 28 – Mar 12, 2025
  • House concurred with Senate amendments: Mar 17, 2025
  • Sent to Governor: Mar 26, 2025; Signed by Governor: Mar 31, 2025

Sponsors

Primary sponsors: Janice Rich; Dafna Michaelson Jenet; Katie Stewart (and multiple cosponsors listed).

For exact statutory language, the list of equipment, any limitations or implementation dates, and regulatory details, consult the enrolled bill text and subsequent administrative rules issued by the relevant licensing board or state agency.

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

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