Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-801.1 - Code of ethics for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants

(1) Physical therapy. The practice of physical therapy shall minimally consist of:

a. Interpreting all referrals;

b. Evaluating each patient;

c. Identifying and documenting individual patient's problems and goals;

d. Establishing and documenting a plan of care;

e. Providing appropriate treatment;

f. Determining the appropriate portions of the treatment program to be delegated to assistive personnel;

g. Appropriately supervising individuals as described in rule 481-801.4 (272C);

h. Providing timely patient reevaluation;

i. Maintaining timely and adequate patient records of all physical therapy activity and patient responses consistent with the standards found in rule 481-801.2 (147).

(2) A physical therapist shall:

a. Not practice outside the scope of the license;

b. Inform a referring practitioner when any requested treatment procedure is inadvisable or contraindicated and shall refuse to carry out such orders;

c. Not continue treatment beyond the point of possible benefit to the patient or treat a patient more frequently than necessary to obtain maximum therapeutic effect;

d. Not directly or indirectly request, receive, or participate in the dividing, transferring, assigning, rebating, or refunding of an unearned fee;

e. Not profit by means of credit or other valuable consideration as an unearned commission, discount, or gratuity in connection with the furnishing of physical therapy services;

f. Not obtain third-party payment through fraudulent means. Third-party payers include, but are not limited to, insurance companies and government reimbursement programs. Obtaining payment through fraudulent means includes but is not limited to:

(1) Reporting incorrect treatment dates for the purpose of obtaining payment;

(2) Reporting charges for services not rendered;

(3) Incorrectly reporting services rendered for the purpose of obtaining payment that is greater than that to which the licensee is entitled; or

(4) Aiding a patient in fraudulently obtaining payment from a third-party payer;

g. Not exercise undue influence on patients to purchase equipment, products, or supplies from a company in which the physical therapist owns stock or has any other direct or indirect financial interest;

h. Not permit another person to use the therapist's license for any purpose;

i. Not verbally or physically abuse a patient or client;

j. Not engage in sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct includes the following:

(1) Engaging in or soliciting a sexual relationship, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with a patient or client;

(2) Making sexual advances, requesting sexual favors, or engaging in other verbal conduct or physical contact of a sexual nature with a patient or client;

k. Adequately supervise personnel in accordance with the standards for supervision found in rule 481-801.4 (272C);

l. Assist in identifying a professionally qualified licensed practitioner to perform the service, in the event that the physical therapist does not possess the skill to evaluate a patient, plan the treatment program, or carry out the treatment.

(3) Physical therapist assistants. A physical therapist assistant shall:

a. Not practice outside the scope of the license;

b. Not obtain third-party payment through fraudulent means. Third-party payers include but are not limited to insurance companies and government reimbursement programs. Obtaining payment through fraudulent means includes but is not limited to:

(1) Reporting incorrect treatment dates for the purpose of obtaining payment;

(2) Reporting charges for services not rendered;

(3) Incorrectly reporting services rendered for the purpose of obtaining payment that is greater than that to which the licensee is entitled; or

(4) Aiding a patient in fraudulently obtaining payment from a third-party payer;

c. Not exercise undue influence on patients to purchase equipment, products, or supplies from a company in which the physical therapist assistant owns stock or has any other direct or indirect financial interest;

d. Not permit another person to use the physical therapist's or physical therapist assistant's license for any purpose;

e. Not verbally or physically abuse a patient or client;

f. Not engage in sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct includes the following:

(1) Engaging in or soliciting a sexual relationship, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with a patient or client; and

(2) Making sexual advances, requesting sexual favors, or engaging in other verbal conduct or physical contact of a sexual nature with a patient or client;

g. Work only when supervised by a physical therapist and in accordance with rule 481-801.4 (272C). If the available supervision does not meet the standards in rule 481-801.4 (272C), the physical therapist assistant shall refuse to administer treatment;

h. Inform the delegating physical therapist when the physical therapist assistant does not possess the skills or knowledge to perform the delegated tasks, and refuse to perform the delegated tasks;

i. Sign the physical therapy treatment record to indicate that the physical therapy services were provided in accordance with the rules and regulations for practicing as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-801.1

ARC 7979C, IAB 5/15/2024, effective 7/1/2024; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9/18/2024