(225 ILCS 75/3.1)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-251)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)

Sec. 3.1. Referrals.

(a) A licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant may consult with, educate, evaluate, and monitor services for individuals, groups, and populations concerning occupational therapy needs. Except as indicated in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, implementation of direct occupational therapy treatment to individuals for their specific health care conditions shall be based upon a referral from a licensed physician, dentist, podiatric physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or optometrist.

(b) A referral is not required for the purpose of providing consultation, habilitation, screening, education, wellness, prevention, environmental assessments, and work-related ergonomic services to individuals, groups, or populations.

(c) Referral from a physician or other health care provider is not required for evaluation or intervention for children and youths if an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant provides services in a school-based or educational environment, including the child's home.

(d) An occupational therapist shall refer to a licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or podiatric physician any patient whose medical condition should, at the time of evaluation or treatment, be determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the occupational therapist.

(Source: P.A. 99-173, eff. 7-29-15; 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-251)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)

Sec. 3.1. Referrals.

(a) A licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant may evaluate, initiate, and provide occupational therapy services and consult with, educate, evaluate, and monitor services for individuals, groups, and populations concerning occupational therapy needs without a referral.

(b) (Blank).

(c) Referral from a physician or other health care provider is not required for evaluation or intervention for children and youths if an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant provides services in a school-based or educational environment, including the child's home.

(d) An occupational therapist shall refer a patient to the patient's treating health care professional of record, or to a health care professional of the patient's choosing if there is no health care professional of record, if:

(1) the patient does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 15 business days, whichever occurs first, and continued improvement thereafter;

(2) the patient was under the care of an occupational therapist without a diagnosis established by a health care professional of a chronic disease that may benefit from occupational therapy and returns for services for the same or similar condition 30 calendar days after being discharged by the occupational therapist; or

(3) the patient's medical condition, at the time of evaluation or services, is determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the occupational therapist.

(Source: P.A. 103-251, eff. 1-1-24.)