Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy
Chapter 801 - Practice of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants
Rule 481-801.1 - Code of Ethics for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 481-801.1

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

(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.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Iowa may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.