Healing should never feel out of reach. For many Utah patients, physical therapy is not an extra service or a luxury. It is a necessary part of recovery. Whether someone is recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or trying to stay mobile and independent, physical therapy plays a central role in long term health. Patients deserve to complete the care they need without being discouraged by unnecessary financial barriers. That is why we support Utah Senate Bill 204.
Utah Recognizes Physical Therapists as Primary Care Providers
Last year, Utah took an important step forward. Through House Bill 196, physical therapists in Utah were officially recognized as primary care providers. Physical therapy is often one of the first and most effective points of care. Physical therapists help people address pain, restore function, prevent future injury, and avoid more invasive or costly treatments. Recognizing PT as primary care was a meaningful move toward improving access and supporting better outcomes. However, there is still a gap.
Insurance Copays Have Not Fully Caught Up
Even though Utah law recognizes physical therapy as primary care, some insurance companies continue to classify physical therapy under a specialty copay. That distinction matters. Specialty copays are often significantly higher than primary care copays, and that higher cost is passed directly to patients. In practice, this means patients can face higher out of pocket expenses for receiving care that is already recognized as primary care in Utah. This inconsistency creates confusion and unnecessary barriers, especially for patients who need multiple visits to fully recover.
Higher Copays Lead to Worse Outcomes
When copays are higher, patients often delay care or stop treatment early. That is not theoretical. It is a reality for many families trying to balance health needs with everyday expenses.
Higher copays can lead to:
- Higher overall healthcare costs
- Incomplete recovery
- Worse long-term outcomes
- Delayed treatment
Physical therapy works best when patients can follow through with the full plan of care. Recovery is rarely achieved in a single visit. It is a process. When that process is interrupted because of cost, patients suffer and the healthcare system often pays more later. Patients should not be discouraged from completing the care they need to heal.
What Senate Bill 204 Would Do
Utah Senate Bill 204 is a practical next step. This bill would require insurance plans to include physical therapy under the primary care copay structure rather than continuing to treat it as a specialty service. Simply put, it would align insurance policy with existing Utah law. This is not about expanding services. It is about fairness, consistency, and improving patient access.
The Benefits of This Change Are Clear
If physical therapy is treated as primary care in insurance copay structures, Utah patients will benefit in meaningful ways.
This change would:
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Reduce long term healthcare costs
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Support better recovery outcomes
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Improve access to care
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Remove unnecessary financial barriers
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Reflect Utah’s recognition of PT as primary care
When patients can afford to complete physical therapy, they are more likely to return to work, avoid re-injury, prevent complications, and stay healthy long term. That benefits patients, providers, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Why We Support Senate Bill 204
We support Senate Bill 204 because it puts patients first. Physical therapy is proven, effective care that helps people heal, regain independence, and avoid more costly interventions. Utah has already recognized physical therapists as primary care providers. Insurance companies should reflect that reality. Copay structures should support recovery, not stand in the way of it. Patients deserve access to that care without unnecessary financial obstacles. Senate Bill 204 is a step toward making that possible.
