JEFFERSON CITY—The General Assembly gave final approval yesterday (5-6) to legislation filed by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, which will make physical therapy more affordable and available for Missouri citizens. Senate Bill 159 requires insurance companies to charge the same co-payments or co-insurance amounts for a visit to a physical therapist as they would for a visit to a doctor’s office that performs the same services.

The legislation will give patients greater access to important physical therapist services, explained Sen. Schmitt.

“This legislation is really about ensuring that patients who need physical therapist services can access those services, and that those services are affordable,” said Sen. Schmitt. “Patients will be able to recover more quickly, and hopefully be able to avoid setbacks they might have faced if they could not continue receiving physical therapist services.”

The legislation also requires health carriers to clearly state the availability of physical therapist coverage under their plan.

Senate Bill 159 now goes to the Governor for his consideration.

To view Sen. Schmitt’s video update on Senate Bill 159, click here or visit his Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/schmitt and click on the Multimedia section under the “Media” tab at the top of the page.