Illinois Code § 1.2

§ 1.2.

Physical therapy services. (a) A physical therapist may provide physical therapy services to a patient with or without a referral from a health care professional. (b) A physical therapist providing services without a referral from a health care professional must notify the patient's treating health care professional within 5 business days after the patient's first visit that the patient is receiving physical therapy. This does not apply to physical therapy services related to fitness or wellness, unless the patient presents with an ailment or injury. (b-5) A physical therapist providing services to a patient who has been diagnosed by a health care professional as having a chronic disease that may benefit from physical therapy must communicate at least monthly with the patient's treating health care professional to provide updates on the patient's course of therapy. (c) A physical therapist shall refer a patient to the patient's treating health care professional of record or, in the case where there is no health care professional of record, to a health care professional of the patient's choice, if: (1) the patient does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 15 business days, whichever occurs first, and continued improvement thereafter; (2) the patient was under the care of a physical therapist without a diagnosis established by a health care professional of a chronic disease that may benefit from physical therapy and returns for services for the same or similar condition after 30 calendar days of being discharged by the physical therapist; or (3) the patient's condition, at the time of evaluation or services, is determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the physical therapist. (d) Wound debridement services may only be provided by a physical therapist with written authorization from a health care professional. (e) A physical therapist shall promptly consult and collaborate with the appropriate health care professional anytime a patient's condition indicates that it may be related to temporomandibular disorder so that a diagnosis can be made by that health care professional for an appropriate treatment plan. (Source: P.A. 102-307, eff. 1-1-22.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-154) (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031) Sec. 1.2. Physical therapy services. (a) A physical therapist may provide physical therapy services to a patient with or without a referral from a health care professional. (b) A physical therapist providing services without a referral from a health care professional must notify the patient's treating health care professional within 5 business days after the patient's first visit that the patient is receiving physical therapy. This does not apply to physical therapy services related to fitness or wellness, unless the patient presents with an ailment or injury. (b-5) A physical therapist providing services to a patient without a referral who has been diagnosed by a health care professional as having a chronic disease that may benefit from physical therapy must communicate at least monthly with the patient's treating health care professional to provide updates on the patient's course of therapy. (b-10) A physical therapist providing services to a patient with a referral who has been diagnosed by a health care professional as having a chronic disease must communicate at least monthly with the patient's referring health care professional consistent with the plan of care established with the referring health care professional. (c) A physical therapist shall refer a patient to the patient's treating health care professional of record or, in the case where there is no health care professional of record, to a health care professional of the patient's choice, if: (1) the patient does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 15 business days, whichever occurs first, and continued improvement thereafter; (2) the patient was under the care of a physical therapist without a diagnosis established by a health care professional of a chronic disease that may benefit from physical therapy and returns for services for the same or similar condition after 30 calendar days of being discharged by the physical therapist; or (3) the patient's condition, at the time of evaluation or services, is determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the physical therapist. (d) Wound debridement services may only be provided by a physical therapist with written authorization from a health care professional. (e) A physical therapist shall promptly consult and collaborate with the appropriate health care professional anytime a patient's condition indicates that it may be related to temporomandibular disorder. (Source: P.A. 104-154, eff. 1-1-26.)