Medicare program; physician involvement in physical therapy and speech pathology services--HCFA. Interim final rule...

This interim final rule removes from Medicare conditions of participation the requirements that providers of outpatient physical therapy and speech pathology, and physical therapists in independent practice, accept for treatment only patients referred to them by physicians, and that written plans of care be established and reviewed by physicians. If affects care provided to non-Medicare patients only. The requirements for physician involvement continue to apply for coverage of services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The purpose of this rule is to implement section 8424 of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-647) and to relieve providers of outpatient physical therapy and speech pathology and independent physical therapists of an inappropriate burden imposed by current Federal regulations.