IL SB0898

Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act to authorize licensed physical therapists to perform dry needling (intramuscular therapy) for treatment of myofascial pain using sterile filiform needles on trigger points.

Requires physical therapists performing dry needling to complete 50 hours of foundational instruction, 30 hours of didactic coursework, and 54 hours of practicum training approved by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Mandates completion of at least 200 supervised patient treatment sessions and passage of a competency examination before a physical therapist can perform dry needling.

Prohibits newly licensed physical therapists from performing dry needling for at least one year after licensure unless they completed dry needling education before obtaining their license.

Specifies that dry needling may only be performed by licensed physical therapists and cannot be delegated to physical therapist assistants; prohibits therapists from representing dry needling as acupuncture unless separately licensed under the Acupuncture Practice Act.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to clarify that group and individual health insurance policies are not required to provide coverage for dry needling performed by physical therapists.