Please support HB 141, legislation that established co-pay parity for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic services. Currently, insurance carriers categorize physical therapists as specialists, resulting in higher co-pays for patients compared to primary care providers. Effective physical therapy for injury or post-surgery recovery typically requires multiple sessions over an extended period. However, the burden of high co-pays at each visit can discourage patients from fully benefiting from these essential services. With co-pays averaging $50 per session, the cumulative costs can become quite burdensome for patients, particularly those who have progressive neurological diseases who require physical therapy to prevent regression and loss of function. By aligning co-pays for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic services with those for primary care physicians, we can remove financial barriers that may lead patients to opt for prescription opioids over proven, cost-effective therapy services. This proactive approach is supported by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA), Ohio Occupational Therapy Association (OOTA), and the Ohio State Chiropractic Association (OSCA). With your support of HB 141, Ohio can join the ranks of states like Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in advancing policies that promote more patient access to safe, cost-effective services offered by physical therapists and occupational therapists.

I’m writing to request your support for House Bill 141, legislation that would create co-pay parity for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic services. As a physical therapy professional, I strive every day to help my patients return to their prior level of function so they can get back to work, complete household activities, and return to doing the things they love – all while minimizing reliance on highly addictive pain medication. Currently, insurance carriers classify physical therapists as specialists, which means my patients are subjected to higher co-pays than they are for seeing their primary care provider. My patients often require multiple visits to achieve their recovery goals. However, high co-pays at every visit – which can be $50 or more – create disincentives for my patients to get the maximum benefit from their therapy. Moreover, these co-pay disparities create financial incentives for patients to “just take a pill” to promote recovery from surgeries, accidents, and episodes due to medical conditions. HB 141 removes the cost factor in choosing between physical and occupational therapy services or prescription opioids in treating pain management. With your support, Ohio can join other states – such as Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia – in removing barriers to accessing non-pharmacologic approaches to pain management. Affordable co-pays will encourage more people treat their pain through movement – not mask their pain through opioid usage. Please support HB 141!

Please support HB 141 legislation that would create co-pay parity for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic services. Currently, insurance carriers classify physical therapists as “specialists” and patients are often subjected to higher co-pays than they would be for seeing primary care providers. Meaningful physical therapy for injury and surgery recovery is not a one-and-done treatment plan. It takes multiple visits to a therapist to meet patient recovery goals. However, high co-pays at EVERY VISIT can create disincentives for the patients to get maximum benefit from the therapy. Co-pays for each visit to a PT, OT, or chiropractic provider can be roughly $50 or more--and if a patient requires services twice a week for 4-6 weeks those costs multiply. "Taking a pill" for a small co-pay instead becomes an attractive alternative. The Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA), the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association (OOTA), and the Ohio State Chiropractic Association (OSCA) believe in removing the cost factor in choosing between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic services or prescription opioids in treating pain management. Creating co-pay alignment with that of a primary care physician will allow more Ohioans to access the services of physical therapists. If passed Ohio would join other states such as Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in enacting this policy. I urge your support HB 141 cost-saving legislation that offers drug-free alternatives to pain management.