What is important to physical therapists?

Answered by:

Demetre of Xintaropoulos

Physical Therapy of Woburn

6 Questions answered

Answered on January 12th, 2021

I think, as Private PT Clinic Owners, we have to be prepared for a different world on the other side of this pandemic. With large hospitals merging and creating their own "insurance networks", patients will be forced to stay within that network for PT care. Smaller providers, who probably offer better one on one care and more personalized care for the patient, will be squeezed out. Couple that with super high co-pays, some as high as 40 dollars a visit, it's tough to get someone in more than once a week. I am curious how the APTA is looking to solve that real world problem. All the DPT students will be saddled with massive student loans and may never have the salary to pay that back.

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Jan 13th, 2021

Don't expect the APTA to do anything never have and never will. They have maintained their position to not upset the AMA and have stopped fighting for PT's rights and continued climb in the medical field. Even after demanding we move to DPT they continue to reduce our ability to treat and get reimbursed for what we do.

Demetre of Xintaropoulos from Physical Therapy of Woburn

Richard, I was against the DPT move from day one. I love that our profession has a Doctorate degree to aspire and achieve, however, making it mandatory was unnecessary. Let's be honest, we will never be able to prescribe medication and probably never be able to order scans. I argued that they should have left it at BS degree, and if someone wants to pursue higher degrees, they can do it in the evenings. That way, those graduates can get into the field quicker, start making an income, and not be saddled with massive student loans. As a private practice owner, Blue Cross does not pay me any different should a PTA, PT, MSPT or DPT perform a treatment. So what is the advantage of me hiring a DPT?

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