N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39A-2.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:39A-2.2 - Authorized practice by a licensed physical therapist

(a) A licensed physical therapist may engage in physical therapy and physical therapy practice.

(b) The licensed physical therapist shall continually monitor the patient's response to care and modify the therapeutic intervention in a manner that is consistent with achieving the therapeutic goals.

(c) A licensed physical therapist may bill a patient or third party payor for a diagnostic test in connection with a physical therapy evaluation provided:

1. The diagnostic testing is clinically supported and is specific to that individual patient's impairments, functional limitations, or disability;

2. The data sought to be gathered by such tests is relevant to the patient's impairments, functional limitations, and disability, and will provide sufficient information to assist in the development of appropriate interventions, objectives and goals;

3. The appropriate documentation of the analysis of the data acquired from the testing, relevant to the patient impairment, functional limitation and/or disability, is recorded in the patient's record; and

4. Any repeat or subsequent testing shall be for the purpose of substantiating the effectiveness of the physical therapy intervention. Testing intervals shall be determined by the licensed physical therapist and shall be consistent with the patient's diagnosis, disability and impairment.

(d) A licensed physical therapist shall not bill a patient or third party for diagnostic testing that lacks demonstrated medical value and a level of general acceptance by the relevant provider community and which fails to provide sufficient clinical data to alter the plan of care.

(e) The following acts and practices shall be among those deemed to be outside the scope of physical therapy and upon proof that a licensee is engaging in such conduct he or she may be subject to disciplinary action:

1. The conducting of a breast examination;

2. The conducting of a pelvic internal examination, except internal evaluation of the pelvic floor musculature;

3. The taking of radiological studies; or

4. The representation of physical therapy treatment to be a cure or remedy for disease or organic condition unrelated to physical disability for which physical therapy services have been sought.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39A-2.2

New Rule, R.1987 d.256, effective 7/6/1987.
See: 18 N.J.R. 1177(b), 19 N.J.R. 1227(c).
Amended by R.1996 d.325, effective 7/15/1996.
See: 28 N.J.R. 1925(b), 28 N.J.R. 3598(b).
Amended by R.1999 d.75, effective 3/1/1999.
See: 30 N.J.R. 3755(a), 31 N.J.R. 661(a).
Inserted new (b) and (c); and recodified former (b) as (d).
Amended by R.2001 d.239, effective 7/16/2001.
See: 33 N.J.R. 1309(a), 33 N.J.R. 2483(a).
In (a), rewrote 1 and 3; added a new (b), recodified former (b) as (c), and substituted "licensed physical therapist" for "licensee" in (c)4; recodified former (c) and (d) as (d) and (e).
Amended by R.2006 d.42, effective 1/17/2006.
See: 37 N.J.R. 947(a), 38 N.J.R. 819(b).
Rewrote (a); in (d), deleted "treatment" and added "of care"; in (e)2, deleted ", upon specific direction from the referring licensed health care provider".
Amended by R.2007 d.21, effective 1/16/2007.
See: 38 N.J.R. 2990(a), 39 N.J.R. 222(a).
In (c) and (d), inserted "licensed"; and in (c)1, deleted ", and is consistent with physician direction" following "disability".