In an action that threatens to disrupt the lives of physical therapists and the patients they care for, the California Private Practice Group of physical therapists (CA PPG) released an absurd claim that California physicians are illegally employing physical therapists for financial gain.

"Claiming that physician -led coordinated patient care models are structured simply for profit is ludicrous," said James Hinsdale, M.D., President of the California Medical Association. "The CA PPG claims of kickbacks are completely without merit as California has some of the most robust anti-kickback laws in the nation which would be unaffected by this bill."

CA PPG claims that AB 783, introduced by Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), would allow physicians to profit from referring patients to physical therapists employed by doctors. Physical therapists, along with other physician extenders including psychologists, nurses, physician assistants and podiatrists have been working within the legal boundaries of medical corporations for decades.

"AB 783 was introduced to clarify ambiguity in the law. The current language does not specifically call out the numerous physician extenders that are legally employed to work within medical care settings to provide timely and coordinated access to care for patients," Hinsdale stated. "The CA PPG suggestion that physical therapists move out of the coordinated care settings they have been practicing in for decades, would disrupt long-standing professional relationships between physicians and physical therapists and put patient care at risk."

Source:
California Medical Association