IL HB4643

Physical therapists may provide services with or without a referral from a health care professional, expanding direct access to physical therapy care.

Physical therapists must notify a patient's treating health care professional within 5 business days when providing services without a referral (excluding fitness/wellness services unless an ailment is present).

Physical therapists must refer patients to a health care professional if no measurable improvement occurs after 10 visits or 15 business days, if patients return for the same condition after 30 days, or if the condition is beyond the physical therapist's scope of practice.

Wound debridement services require written authorization from a health care professional; physical therapists must consult with appropriate professionals for temporomandibular disorder-related conditions.

Removes the requirement for a "documented current and relevant diagnosis" from a physician for physical therapists to treat patients, updating disciplinary standards to reference the new Section 1.2 requirements.