Iowa Code 1995: Section 148A.1

148A.1 Definition---referral---authorization.

As used in this chapter, physical therapy is that branch of science that deals with the evaluation and treatment of human capabilities and impairments. Physical therapy uses the effective properties of physical agents including, but not limited to, mechanical devices, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound, and therapeutic exercises, and rehabilitative procedures to prevent, correct, minimize, or alleviate a physical impairment. Physical therapy includes the interpretation of performances, tests, and measurements, the establishment and modification of physical therapy programs, treatment planning, consultative services, instructions to the patients, and the administration and supervision attendant to physical therapy facilities. Physical therapy evaluation and treatment may be rendered by a physical therapist with or without a referral from a physician, podiatrist, dentist, or chiropractor, except that a hospital may require that physical therapy evaluation and treatment provided in the hospital shall be done only upon prior review by and authorization of a member of the hospital's medical staff.

Section History: Early form

[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 148A.1]

Section History: Recent form

84 Acts, ch 1268, § 1; 86 Acts, ch 1238, § 7; 87 Acts, ch 65, § 3; 88 Acts, ch 1002, §1

Internal References

Referred to in § 148A.3

148A.1 Definition---referral---authorization.

Section History: Early form

Section History: Recent form

Internal References

Footnotes