HF 174 (LSB 1375HV (1) 90)

HOUSE FILE 174

BY  COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 11)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the referral of a patient by a physical therapist for diagnostic imaging.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  148A.5A  Referral for diagnostic imaging.
   1.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a physical therapist, as part of the physical therapy patient evaluation and treatment as specified under section 148A.1, may order diagnostic imaging to be performed and interpreted by other appropriately licensed health care professionals.
   2.  Unless a patient does not have a primary care provider, a physical therapist who orders diagnostic imaging shall report the results of the diagnostic imaging to the patient’s designated primary care provider within seven days following receipt of the results to ensure patient coordination of care.
   3.  The board of physical and occupational therapy shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section and to ensure patient coordination of care.
   4.  For the purposes of this section, “diagnostic imaging” means medical imaging technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions. “Diagnostic imaging” includes but is not limited to ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray imaging, and computed tomography.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill authorizes a physical therapist, as part of the physical therapy patient evaluation and treatment described in the definition of and authorization for physical therapy, to order diagnostic imaging to be performed and interpreted by other appropriately licensed health care professionals. Unless a patient does not have a primary care provider, a physical therapist who orders diagnostic imaging shall report the diagnostic imaging results to the patient’s designated primary care provider within seven days following receipt of the results to ensure patient coordination of care. The bill directs the board of physical and occupational therapy to adopt administrative rules to administer the bill and to ensure patient coordination of care. Under the bill, “diagnostic imaging” means medical imaging technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions. “Diagnostic imaging” includes but is not limited to ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray imaging, and computed tomography.