Senate Bill No. 224 Summary

• Physical therapists may evaluate patients without a referral, but must contact the patient's provider within three business days and obtain a referral before providing treatment.

• Physical therapists may treat patients for previously referred conditions if the original referral was issued within three months and the therapist consults with the original provider within three days of treatment.

• Physical therapists must complete at least 400 hours of classroom instruction and 800 hours of supervised clinical training to perform spinal manipulation, spinal adjustment, or grade 5 mobilization.

• Physical therapists are prohibited from performing sharp debridement unless acting on the order of a physician licensed under Indiana Code.

• Removes "mental disorder" from the definition of conditions treated by physical therapy; effective July 1, 2011.