New York State law, Chapter 298 of the Laws of 2006, permits physical therapists (with a minimum of three years of clinical experience) to treat patients without a physician referral as of November 23, 2006. This patient right has been termed Direct Access. Direct access to physical therapy is your opportunity to be evaluated and treated by the licensed physical therapist of your choice without needing to see your physician first in order to obtain a prescription. The law permits patients to access physical therapy services for 30 days, or 10 visits, whichever comes first. 

At the beginning of direct access treatment, the physical therapist is obligated by law to advise the patient of the possibility that the treatment may not be covered by the patient's health care plan or insurer without a referral from a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or nurse practitioner, and that the treatment may be a covered expense if rendered with a referral. It is the responsibility of the patient to contact their insurance carrier to find out if the patient’s insurance plan covers self- referrals for physical therapy. Patients are responsible for payment of self-referred physical therapy at the time of service, unless they can provide documentation from the insurance carrier that these services will be covered.