MI SB0144

Eliminates the requirement that physical therapists obtain a prescription from a health care professional before treating patients, removing the previous 21-day or 10-treatment limit for treatment without a prescription

Expands the definition of "practice of physical therapy" to explicitly include examining, evaluating, and testing individuals to determine causes of physical therapy problems and develop prognoses and intervention plans

Requires physical therapists treating patients without a referral to inform the patient's primary health care professional of the initial evaluation and plan of care within 15 days of initiating treatment

Mandates physical therapists consult with a health care professional within 5 days if the patient experiences measurable decline, symptom progression despite treatment adherence, or significant complications not present at initial evaluation

Requires physical therapists to inform patients of potential financial liability when receiving physical therapy services without a referral from a health care professional

Takes effect 180 days after enactment