LAC 46:XLV.4909. Referral

A. Persons are appropriate for occupational therapy services when they demonstrate impairment, potential for impairment, or need for improvement in conducting or resuming daily life occupations that support function and health throughout the lifespan. B. Clients shall be referred to occupational therapy for direct service intervention for their specific medical conditions by a licensed physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, physician’s assistant, or advanced practice nurse practitioner. C. The occupational therapist assumes full responsibility for the occupational therapy evaluation and consulting with the referring healthcare professional as needed. D. Occupational therapists shall recommend additional consultations or refer clients to appropriate resources when the needs of the client can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. E. Occupational therapy services that are not related to injury, disease, or illness that are performed in a wellness or community setting for the purposes of enhancing performance in everyday activities are exempt from this referral requirement. F. Occupational therapy practitioners employed by a school system or contracted by a school system, who provide screening and rehabilitation services for the educationally related needs of the students, are exempt from this referral requirement.