Physical Therapy Assistant Taxonomy Code: 225200000X

Definition

Grouping

Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers

Classification

Physical Therapy Assistant

Code

225200000X

(1)Physical therapist assistants are skilled health care providers who are graduates of a physical therapist assistant associate degree program accredited by an agency recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, who assists the physical therapist in providing physical therapy. The supervising physical therapist is directly responsible for the actions of the physical therapist assistant. The PTA performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the supervising physical therapist. Duties of the PTA include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs, training patients in exercised and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. In addition to direct patient care, the PTA may also perform such functions as patient transport, and clinic or equipment preparation and maintenance. Currently more than half of all states require PTAs to be licensed, registered or certified. (2) An individual who works under the supervision of a physical therapist to assist him or her in providing physical therapy services. A physical therapy assistant may, for instance, help patients follow an appropriate exercise program that will increase their strength, endurance, coordination, and range of motion and train patients to perform activities of daily life.

Source: NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy code set.

How taxonomy codes are used

Providers choose one or more taxonomy codes when they apply for an NPI, and mark one as primary. Payers use the taxonomy on claims and enrollment to match the provider type and specialty, so the code on the claim should match the taxonomy on the NPPES record.