Scope of practice laws in Minnesota should require that medical procedures be performed by health care providers who have the training and skills to provide safe and effective health care.
Physical therapy
Current law allows physical therapists to treat patients without a referral for up to 30 days of treatment. After 30 days patients must be seen by a physician. Physical therapists also must spend a year under supervision before setting up an independent practice. These laws protect patients who may have medical conditions that are beyond the scope of practice of a physical therapist.
The MMA successfully opposed a proposal during the 2007 session to eliminate the current prohibition against providing physical therapy after an initial 30-day period without a physicians’ order.