APTA Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy Day

Thank you to those who were able to join us in Harrisburg for the 2019 APTA Pennsylvania Advocacy Day!

How To Use The APTA Action App

Advocacy Day Materials

Presentations:

Compact Licensure
Credentialing Bill
Legislative Advocacy Day

Letter Templates:

PT Compact Licensure Letter
Credentialing Letter

Find Your Legislator

Current Legislation

Bills to Highlight: HB 533 | HB 862 | SB 640

HB 533: Health Care Practitioner Credentialing Act | Health Committee - Rep. Clint Owlett

Talking Points:

  • APTA Pennsylvania supports good legislation for credentialing limits as there is sometimes a 180+ day wait.
  • Would limit the wait time for a response from insurance companies to 45 days.
  • Will allow residents of PA better access to physical therapy and other practitioners.
  • Longer credentialing processes limit patient access to physical therapy and impacts their care directly.
  • Affects business operations.

The following bills for the Physical Therapy Compact Legislation has been drafted in both the House (HB 862) and the Senate (SB 640).

HB 862: Physical Therapy Compact Legislation | Professional Licensure Committee - Rep. Barrar

Talking Points:

  • Portability of license across multiple state lines for PT’s and PTA’s.
  • Supported by APTA, FSBPT, the PA State Board, National Military Family Association and APTA Pennsylvania.
  • Does not expand the scope of practice.
  • The Physical Therapy Compact Licensure is a contract:
    • Individual states agree to join in the Compact laws
    • Allows physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in those participating states to practice in any of the other participating states under its laws and rules without being licensed in each state.
    • Each PT/PTA must hold a current and valid license in their home state.
    • The PT/PTA applies for Compact license in the other state.
    • There is a fee for PTCL plus the states fees and requirements
  • The benefits include being faster, more efficient, inexpensive and easier than applying for each individual state license.
  • 26 states have currently accepted the Compact Legislation including New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware and West Virginia with 16 states currently issuing Compact privileges 
  • Pennsylvania and Maryland are bringing it up for voting.

SB 640: Physical Therapy Compact Legislation | Professional Licensure Committee - Sen. Boscola

Talking Points:

  • Portability of license across multiple state lines for PT’s and PTA’s.
  • Supported by APTA, FSBPT, the PA State Board, National Military Family Association and APTA Pennsylvania.
  • Does not expand the scope of practice.
  • The Physical Therapy Compact Licensure is a contract:
    • Individual states agree to join in the Compact laws
    • Allows physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in those participating states to practice in any of the other participating states under its laws and rules without being licensed in each state.
    • Each PT/PTA must hold a current and valid license in their home state.
    • The PT/PTA applies for Compact license in the other state.
    • There is a fee for PTCL plus the states fees and requirements
  • The benefits include being faster, more efficient, inexpensive and easier than applying for each individual state license.
  • 26 states have currently accepted the Compact Legislation including New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware and West Virginia with 16 states currently issuing Compact privileges 
  • Pennsylvania and Maryland are bringing it up for voting.