This is a reminder that the latest group of new standards will come into effect on August 1, 2025.
All physiotherapists and PT residents must follow the updated requirements as of August 1.
To support you in understanding the requirements and expectations, we have included key highlights from both standards below.
While these highlights provide a helpful at-a-glance look at what’s new or notable, all physiotherapists and PT residents are encouraged to read the standards in full to understand the complete scope of the new requirements.
As always, we’re here to support you in the delivery of high-quality care. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the Practice Advisors at advice@collegept.org or 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241.
Documentation Standard
Replaces the Record Keeping Standard
1. Maintain Clear, Accurate, and Timely Documentation
Ensure all documentation is legible, written in a timely manner, complete, and accurately reflects each patient encounter.
2. Include Clinical Details
Record key information relevant to the patient’s care such as their relevant health history, your assessment findings, treatment details and the patient’s response to treatment, consent conversations, risk incidents, and discharge summaries.
3. Keep Complete and Transparent Financial Records
Maintain accurate and retrievable financial records as part of a complete patient record. Include dates, fees for services and products, payment information, and the names of those involved in providing the care.
4. Protect Patient Confidentiality
Be sure to safeguard personal health information throughout the collection, use, storage, sharing, and disposal of patient records. When using electronic record keeping, ensure entries are traceable to a specific user and that data is backed up and can be recovered if needed.
5. Keep High Quality Documentation
Make sure that your records are free of undefined abbreviations or acronyms. Clearly document late entries or corrections while keeping the original content readable and intact, unless you’re using an Electronic Medical Record system that captures the information automatically when changes are made.
Funding, Fees and Billing Standard
Replaces the Fees, Billing and Accounts Standard
1. Be Transparent About Fees Upfront
Before providing physiotherapy services, give patients a clear and complete fee schedule that outlines all potential charges, including fees for providing reports, cancellation or late fees, and refund policies. Explain fees and billing processes and policies to patients in a way they can understand.
2. Ensure All Charges Are Accurate and Justifiable
When setting fees, ensure that fees are reasonable and aligned with relevant legislation. Don’t depart from your fee schedule unless it’s to reduce a fee. Regularly review your billing practices to confirm that they are fair and accurate.
3. Issue Clear and Transparent Receipts
Receipts and invoices must be transparent and provided in a timely manner. They must include the name of the care provider, dates of service, fees charged, and terms of payment. Non-physiotherapy services must not be labeled as physiotherapy.
4. Use Caution With Bundled Fees
Before accepting pre-payment or offering bundled service packages, implement safeguards like allowing patients to purchase one service at a time, issuing receipts only after services are delivered, and providing refunds for unused services.
5. Take Accountability for Your Billing Practices
You are responsible for all billing under your registration number. Promptly correct any billing errors, document any billing issues and their resolution, and make reasonable efforts to resolve billing disputes.
Share Your Thoughts