Medicare expands temporary staffing for physical therapists to prevent care gaps.
S. 2225 — Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025 · Filed by Ben Luján (D-NM) · 11 cosponsors · Introduced Jul 9, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill allows physical therapists to use locum tenens (temporary substitute) arrangements under Medicare, the same way physicians currently can. Locum tenens lets practices hire temporary providers to cover absences, ensuring continuity of care. Physical therapists and their patients benefit by reducing service interruptions; Medicare beneficiaries get uninterrupted access to physical therapy.
Why we flagged it
The bill extends an existing Medicare staffing arrangement (locum tenens) from physicians to physical therapists, creating regulatory parity. It is a narrow, technical amendment with no broader policy agenda.
What the text implies
- Locum tenens arrangements may increase billing volume if temporary providers are used to expand capacity rather than merely cover absences, potentially raising Medicare expenditures.
- Physical therapy practices may consolidate or grow faster if locum tenens reduces staffing constraints, affecting independent practitioner viability.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
physical therapy practices and staffing agencies; locum tenens staffing firms serving healthcare