Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2005

The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2005 (S. 647) aimed to allow Medicare beneficiaries to visit a physical therapist directly without first obtaining a referral or certification from a physician. By removing this requirement, the bill sought to streamline access to rehabilitative care and reduce administrative delays for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation proposed separating the billing and regulatory categories for speech-language pathology and physical therapy services to ensure more distinct management of these different types of outpatient care.